Weekly Register: Strait Talk—Does On-Demand Drive Sales?

/by

finalg

© 2013 The Nielsen Company


Consumer research giant Nielsen recently debuted its first Entertainment Consumers Report aimed at exploring how people listen, buy and play with music, home video, games and books in the U.S. Overall the data showed that home entertainment consumers are embracing digital at a higher rate than ever before.
strait

No. 1 Country Album this week!


The on-demand streaming results stood out to this writer since they added fuel to the debate question: Does on-demand streaming drive sales?
Music is considered to be “on-demand” when the consumer can choose exactly which song to hear. Examples of on-demand companies include Spotify, Muve and most recently Google All Access. (Streaming that is programmed by the station, like Pandora, is called “webcaster” or non-interactive.)
Nielsen’s report found that on-demand streamers are highly motivated music lovers and 29% of them are likely to purchase new music after hearing it through a streaming service. As the red circles reveal, compared to the average U.S. Internet user they are 96% more likely to follow a celebrity on a social network and 90% more likely to be heavy music spenders.
traceThe research supports Spotify’s claims that its service is not a substitute for purchasing, but helps fuel it. But perhaps it’s premature to draw conclusions about the relationship between on-demand streaming and sales behavior. We are still at an early point in the development of the services.
Why? Two main reasons. Firstly, paid on-demand subscribers still represent a very small portion of the overall streaming sample. The RIAA reports that for year-end 2012 all U.S. streaming services (on-demand and webcaster) had a total of only 3.4 million paid subscribers. So the majority of streaming listeners are experiencing a free or ad-supported experience. They have not yet committed to pay. Secondly, streaming depends upon uninterrupted connectivity which is still not a completely ubiquitous experience. Loading a digital file on your device, so you are not dependent upon bandwidth everywhere you go still makes sense. But what about when the bandwidth is universal— in the air, in your car and in every nook and cranny on the planet? Won’t that destroy the concept of owning MP3 files?
What are your thoughts?
And now onto this week’s sales results…
weeklygrid5-19-13Reading The Grid In A Strait Line
Like a premium single malt scotch, George Strait enters the Current Country album chart at No. 1 while simultaneously placing his well-worn Resistol atop the radio airplay charts at the same time. Pretty smooth, Mr. Strait, and well deserved. Love Is Everything scanned almost 120k units (27% digital) showing improvement over his last album release which registered first week sales of 92k.
Also debuting this week was Donald Trump’s new favorite Celebrity Apprentice, Trace Adkins. Trace placed Love Will at No. 6 with sales of almost 25k (28% digital). Adkins’ new offering fell short of his last trip to the Weekly Register when his debut rang up 47k units.
The new product pipeline has been active the past few weeks and correspondingly we see country move from last week’s +1.1% to a kinder gentler +2.6%. This lead is especially appreciated when comparing country sales to all-genre, which is down YTD -5.1%. That means country has almost an eight percentage point lead over the general industry. Way to go Music City. (Shhh, let’s hope the Mayor doesn’t decide to tax our good fortune to pay for the new Music City Center…)
weeklygrid5-12-13Country’s sales surplus was also driven by week 2 sales from Lady Antebellum (No. 2; 56k) down 67% from its debut week; and Pistol Annies (No. 3; 30k) down 64% W/W. Week 3 sales from “Islander” Kenny Chesney, shifted a nice 26k for a RTD total of over 227k. And to round out the Top 6, let’s include the ever “judgmental Voice-er,” Blake Shelton at No. 4. Fans purchased  his newest collection, Based Upon A True Story about 28k times.
Next week the album release fun continues with Darius Rucker leading the charge…
Tracks are also a bright spot for country labels showing an 8.8% gain YTD, and a 2% boost W/W. Did the upswing this week come from impulsive Sunday evening downloads spurred by the Billboard Awards and the Tim McGraw special? Probably, but we’ll know better when we see next week’s numbers.
Currently, we hear that Big Machine Records is trying to pass a bill in Congress that would rename the Digital Genre Country Chart the Florida Georgia Line “Cruise” Chart. Why not, they are always in the No. 1 spot. They now have almost 3.5 million in total downloads, adding a nifty 189k this week. We’ve mentioned it before, but note that “Cruise” has two versions—the country track and a remix with Nelly. On the country chart they add sales from both versions together with one listing (No. 1). But on all-genre tracks chart they are listed separately. This week the remix downloaded 125k copies and the country version added almost 64k.
Blake Shelton, who we hear is organizing an NBC relief concert for Oklahoma (good job Blake) sits at No. 2 with “Boys ‘Round Here” ringing up a solid 109k units.
Got a question? Something you’d like to know about, but wasn’t mentioned? Don’t be a lazy slug, write me a note (dross@bossross.com) and I’ll do my best to answer it. Oh, and about the rumor I might be heading to the BVI next week to interview Richard Branson—“no comment.”!
Keep on clicking…

Kellie Pickler Wins 'Dancing With The Stars'

/by

Derek Hough and Kellie Pickler. Credit: Kelsey McNeal/ABC


Kellie Pickler was named the winner of Dancing With the Stars last night (May 21) during the show’s season 16 finale. She, along with professional dance partner Derek Hough, beat out Disney star Zendaya and Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Jacoby Jones for the mirror ball trophy.
Scoring is based half on judges scores and half on viewer votes.
Former Dancing contestant Wynonna, who was eliminated early this season, returned to perform on last night’s finale.
Pickler is the second country star to take home a major reality show win this week. Sunday night Trace Adkins was crowned champion of All-Star Celebrity Apprentice.

DISClaimer: The Other Sides of Music City

/by

paramorenewalbum

Paramore


Not one song mentions pickup trucks or beer this week. That’s because I took a break from country music and concentrated on the other side of Music City. Or should I say “sides?” In this stack of platters we find the rock of Paramore and The Features, the r&b of Lo Carter and Jonathan Winstead and the pop of Amy Grant and Courtney Jaye, among other styles.
The aforementioned Jonathan Winstead walks off with this week’s DisCovery Award. Who knew there was a quiet-storm crooner this soulful in our midst?
Because of the musical diversity, it’s apples and oranges I’m trying to compare. So there are two Disc of the Day winners. From the pop-rock column, it’s Paramore. From the gospel tradition come The McCrary Sisters, who also won with their previous disc.
MARY GAUTHIER/You Don’t Know Me
Writers: Eddy Arnold/Cindy Walker; Producer: Cheetah Chrome; Publisher: Sony-ATV/Mijac, BMI; Plowboy (track)
-Alt-folkie Gauthier has the title tune of the new Eddy Arnold tribute CD. Her drawled, behind-the-beat phrasing is accompanied by slow, shuffled drumming and a jazz clarinet solo. It has a vaguely New Orleans funeral vibe. Other participants on the eclectic collection include such non-country Nashvillians as The Bluefields, Jason Ringenberg, Melinda Doolittle, Lambchop, Bobby Bare Jr. and co-producer Cheetah Chrome, in addition to the solidly country Chuck Mead, Mandy Barnett and Chris Scruggs. Imported to Music City for the project are such rockers as Sylvain Sylvain, Drivin’ n’ Cryin’ and Frank Black. Whether you like the resulting re-imaginings that this motley crew bring to Arnold’s classics or not, I promise you’ll listen, fascinated.
Jonathan Winstead

Jonathan Winstead


COURTNEY JAYE/One Way Conversation
Writers: none listed; Producer: Mike Wrucke; Publisher: none listed; CJ (track)
-This new Nashville pop princess has been showcasing the tunes from her debut CD in clubs around town during the past few weeks. Titled Love and Forgiveness, the album’s emphasis track is this stylish lament featuring her soaring, double-tracked soprano riding atop a groovy, tempo-shifting track. Tuneful and catchy.
THE FEATURES/This Disorder
Writers: Matthew Pelham; Producer: The Features; Publisher: Bug/Bughouse/Silent But Violent/This Is Daiglenetics/Ghost Riding, BMI/ASCAP; Serpents and Snakes
-This durable Nashville institution spotlights this steadily driving pop rocker on its self-titled new album. Characterized by bleating tenor singing, stomping rhythm and bright guitar bursts, it commands you to get out on the floor and shake your money maker. Hard to believe that these always-entertaining psych-rockers first appeared on our radar screens 16 years ago.
AMY GRANT/Don’t Try So Hard
Writers: Ben Glover/Amy Grant; Producer: Marshall Altman; Publisher:none listed; Capitol/Sparrow
–How Mercy Looks From Here, Grant’s first studio album in 10 years, contains a number of collaborations. Stellar guests include Carole King, Sheryl Crow, Eric Paslay, Will Hoge and Vince Gill. On this gentle, breathy, graceful pop performance, she is joined by James Taylor on a soft harmony vocal. Airy, whispered magic.
PARAMORE/Still Into You
Writers: Hayley Williams/Taylor York; Producer: Justin Meldal-Johnsen; Publisher: WB/But Father I Just Want to Sing/FBR/Hunterboro, ASCAP; Atlantic/Fueled By Ramen (track)
-The reconfigured, new edition of Paramore rocks as righteously as the old one did. Lead vocalist Hayley Williams adopts an ‘80s punk-rocking, new-wave attitude on this frothing rocker, the collection’s second single. Also check out the first one, the wildly slamming “Now.” The band remains one of Music City’s finest pop/rock ambassadors.
MARSHALL CHAPMAN/Blaze of Glory
Writers: Marshall Chapman; Producer: Michael Utley and Marshall Chapman; Publisher: none listed; TallGirl (track)
-Chapman concludes her new album with its title tune. “I never intended to make it this far….I always thought I’d go in a blaze of glory….playing rock ‘n’ roll music with my hair on fire,” she meditates over the simmering track. Don’t let her kid you with this slow-burn number, she’s still a rockin’ blueswoman at heart. In addition to her own fine tunes, the CD includes covers of “Blues Stay Away from Me” and “The Nearness of You.”
KEB MO & B.J. THOMAS/Most of All
Writers: Buddy Bule/James B. Cobb, Jr.; Producer: Kyle Lehning; Publisher: Sony-ATV, BMI; Wrinkled (track)
-Nashville’s most prominent bluesman doesn’t have a CD of his own this year. But you can hear him loud and clear on B.J. Thomas’s new collection of duets, The Living Room Sessions. The two men are soul brothers harmonizing on this lightly bopping classic. Keb Mo is especially riveting when he ad libs asides during B.J.’s vocal lines.
The McCrary Sisters

The McCrary Sisters


THE McCRARY SISTERS/Train
Writers: Ann McCrary/Tommy Sims/Calvin Smith; Producer: Tommy Sims; Publisher: none listed; BMI/ASCAP; MS (track)
-Since their last album together in 2011, the McCrarys have weathered health issues and personal woes. Their new All the Way collection contains spiritually uplifting songs like this chugging rocker that triumphs over all adversity. It practically begs you to clap hands and shout, “Hallelujah.” So do the Gary Nicholson/Tom Hambridage tune “Skin Deep,” the Bonnie Bishop/Jimmy Wallace rocker “Right Where You Are” and the sisters’ own “Hum and Moan,” “Let It Go” and “Victory.” Once again, Regina, Alfreda, Ann and Deborah prove they are Music City’s glorified, bona fide, riding-high soul sisters supreme. They’ve been hired to back everyone from Bob Dylan and Buddy Miller to Stevie Wonder and Solomon Burke. You’ll hear why on every track of this extraordinary set.
JONATHAN WINSTEAD/SexyLadyLove
Writers: none listed; Producer: Jonathan Winstead; Publisher: Winstead, SESAC; One Staj (track)
-Winstead was a winner at the last Nashville Independent Music Awards as our top male r&b vocalist. He has also developed a fan base in the U.K. His Lovestry CD includes this sensuous slow jam featuring his supple tenor riding atop a track with wah-wah guitar, throbbing bass, heartbeat drumming and “answering,” harmonizing background vocalists. Hang with him to the finale where he scat sings up into his high register. Cool in the extreme.
LO CARTER/Let Go
Writers: L. Carter/D.L. Anderson/J. Richey; Producer: Joey Richey; Publisher: Loc Over Time/Darnell Levine/Daddy’s Boy, ASCAP/BMI; Loc Over Time
-This Nashville chanteuse is a retro-soul stylist with a delectable CD titled Seasons. This lilting, jazz-inflected track has become a music video. She weaves through its melody with a feathery wafting soprano supported by a spare rhythm section and some synth work. Carter co-wrote all 10 of the collection’s tracks, including the rhythmic fan favorite, “Bill Collector.” Call her Music City’s answer to Sade.

Lifenotes: Harrianne Condra Passes

/by

Harrianne Condra

Harrianne Condra


Longtime Tree Publishing executive Harrianne Moore Condra passed away on Monday, May 20 in Nashville. Her career began at WSM radio where, according to her obituary, she helped initiate the first Disc Jockey Convention to commemorate the Grand Ole Opry’s birthday. This annual event evolved into Fan Fair and now the CMA Music Festival. She continued her work in the music industry as Director of Copyright Administration for Tree Publishing, now Sony/ATV. She was a member of Leadership Music and 2003 recipient of the SOURCE Foundation Award honoring women who have been vital contributors to Nashville’s music business.
Born in Baton Rouge, LA on November 22, 1929 Condra was the daughter of former L.S.U. football and track coach and Southeastern Conference Commissioner, Bernie H. Moore and wife, Anna Clark Moore. She attended L.S.U. and graduated from the University of Alabama in 1951.
She is survived by her only child, Lisa Condra Neff (Tom), and two grandchildren, Katherine Clark Neff and Thomas Neff.
Visitation with the family will be on Thursday, May 23, 2013 from 4-7 p.m. at 717 Westview Avenue, Nashville the home of Mrs. Joan Neff and Lisa and Tom Neff. A graveside service will be at 2 p.m. on Friday, May 24, 2013 at the Winchester City Cemetery in Winchester, Tenn. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Alive Hospice of Nashville. Arrangements by Moore-Cortner Funeral Home, 300 1st Avenue NW, Winchester, TN 37398, (931) 967-2222.

MusicRowPics: Joel Crouse Artist Visit

/by

Last Week (May 15), Show Dog-Universal Music’s Joel Crouse stopped by MusicRow headquarters. Crouse is gearing up to open for Taylor Swift on her Red tour.
Crouse played several songs for MusicRow staffers, including “Don’t Tell Me,” “You Can Break A Heart Like That” and his single, “If You Want Some.” He has been on the road sharing music with radio programmers. The first stop on the radio tour took an unconventional turn when he was asked to perform for a PD and his wife in a hospital delivery room.
Crouse recently shot his first music video for “If You Want Some” and plans to release his debut album this summer.
For more information www.joelcrouse.com.
[slide]

Smith Appointed President of Ticketmaster North America

/by

jared smith11

Jared Smith


Ticketmaster, a Live Nation Entertainment, Inc. company, has appointed Jared Smith as President of Ticketmaster North America. In this role, Smith will be responsible for Ticketmaster’s support, sales, distribution and marketing operations. He will also add strategic oversight of the product development teams for the company’s ticketing software platforms.
“Jared continues to be a transformational leader in Ticketmaster’s evolution,” said Michael Rapino, CEO and president of Live Nation Entertainment. “His dedication to clients has consistently resulted in a greater than 100% net renewal rates and his innovative thinking has led to the creation of value-added services and products to better support them and the fans they serve.”
Smith was formerly Ticketmaster’s Chief Operating Officer. Prior to joining Ticketmaster in 2003, Smith oversaw the administration, sales and marketing departments of the Columbus Civic Center in Columbus, Ga., and served as the Executive Director of the Quad Cities Sports Commission in Moline, Ill.
 

'MusicRow' Awards Names Final Nominees – Producer of the Year

/by

MR-Award-13The final nominees of the 2013 MusicRow Awards have been announced, including the category of Producer of the Year.
MusicRow subscriber members can vote for nominees in the Producer of the Year category, along with nominees in other MusicRow awards categories, until 5 p.m. on Friday (May 24). Subscribers were sent ballots on Monday (May 20). This year’s MusicRow awards will take place on June 25 at ASCAP’s Nashville office.
This year’s Producer of the Year nominees include:
Buddy Cannon (Kenny Chesney, Willie Nelson, Jamey Johnson)
Dan Huff (Hunter Hayes, The Band Perry, Brantley Gilbert, Kelly Clarkson, Rascal Flatts)
Jay Joyce (Eric Church, Little Big Town)
Michael Knox (Jason Aldean)
Jeff Stevens (Luke Bryan)
Click here to see all of the nominees for the 2013 MusicRow Awards.
To subscribe to MusicRow and receive your ballot due Friday (May 24) at 5pm, click here.

ASCAP Promotes Sue Drew To Sr. VP, Creative Services, Membership

/by

sue drew11

Sue Drew


Sue Drew has been promoted to the position of Sr. VP, Creative Services, Membership at ASCAP. Drew will be responsible for overseeing the Membership Creative Services staff in all musical genres and will also oversee the operations of the Los Angeles, New York and Nashville membership offices.
“It’s a privilege to be able to work on behalf of ASCAP’s members,” says Drew. “Every day, I have the opportunity to discover new songwriters as well as to serve the most talented creators in the industry. I look forward to expanding our work across all genres, and to helping our members to take advantage of all the many services and programs ASCAP offers.”
Drew has been with ASCAP since 2009 as Vice President of Membership – Pop/Rock, where she is responsible for signing Paul Epworth, Savan Kotecha and Priscilla Renea to ASCAP and inaugurating several innovative career development programs for ASCAP writers, including an annual songwriting camp for top writers. Prior to joining the staff of ASCAP, Drew worked in the field of A&R for over 20 years.
She signed such artists as Phish, They Might Be Giants and Michelle Shocked, and A&R’d records for Barenaked Ladies, Bette Midler, Shelby Lynne, Dave Koz and Taylor Dayne, among others. She held executive A&R positions at Elektra, Chrysalis/EMI and Reprise, and worked as an independent A&R consultant for various labels and artists.
 

Sony/ATV Admin Moving Downtown

/by

SonyATVSony/ATV Music Publishing is moving its administrative operations to downtown Nashville to a new space that will serve as the company’s global administration hub. The creative team will remain on Music Row.
Sony/ATV has executed a long-term lease with Amstar for 50,000 square feet of office space in downtown Nashville’s Fifth Third Center, located at 424 Church Street. The company will occupy three floors in the building and is set to move before the end of the year.
Sony/ATV expects to increase overall headcount in Nashville by more than 40 percent in departments including global administration, royalties, copyright, finance, IT and human resources.
The long-term presence of Sony/ATV’s creative offices on historic Music Row, located at 8 Music Square West, will not be affected by this move. However, the building at 65 Music Square West which currently houses the administrative team will be sold.
The need to hire more admin staffers results in part from the company’s acquisition of EMI Music Publishing. Recently Sony Corporation of America and a group of investors acquired EMI Music Publishing, and Sony/ATV Music Publishing administers EMI on behalf of the investor group. Together with EMI Music Publishing, Sony/ATV owns or administers more than 2 million copyrights.
Commenting on the announcement, Martin Bandier, Chairman & CEO of Sony/ATV Music Publishing said, “We are thrilled to have found such accessible and functional office space in downtown Nashville’s beautiful Fifth Third Center. Our new offices will provide us the necessary room to expand, while still being part of Music City. We’re particularly grateful to the incredible support from Nashville Mayor Karl Dean and Governor Bill Haslam for helping us to continue to make Nashville, Tennessee Sony/ATV’s global administration hub.”
“Sony/ATV’s decision to expand its global administration offices into the heart of downtown Nashville speaks to the vibrancy of our urban core and the strength of our brand as Music City,” Mayor Dean said. “The music and entertainment industry is a major economic force in our city because of the growth of companies here like Sony/ATV. I want to thank Marty Bandier and everyone at Sony/ATV for their continued investment in Nashville and thank the Music City Music Council, the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce and the state of Tennessee for their partnership.”
Sony/ATV controls many of the best known songs ever written including “New York, New York,” “Hallelujah,”  “All You Need Is Love,” “You’ve Got a Friend,” “Moon River,” “Jailhouse Rock,” “The Mission Impossible Theme,” “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough,” “Over the Rainbow,” “Stand By Me,” “I Heard It Through the Grapevine” and “Singin’ in the Rain.” In addition, Sony/ATV represents the copyrights of such legendary artists as The Beatles, Bob Dylan, Marvin Gaye, Michael Jackson, Carole King, Willie Nelson, Roy Orbison, Queen, The Rolling Stones, The Supremes, Hank Williams and Stevie Wonder, among others.

Opry Entertainment Group Promotes Williams

/by

sally williamsSally Williams, General Manager of Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium, has been promoted to VP, Business and Partnership Development for the Opry Entertainment Group. Williams, who originally joined the company in 1999, spent seven years coordinating concerts and other events for the Opry Entertainment Complex. Having managed the Ryman Auditorium since 2008, she will continue to serve as Ryman Auditorium General Manager.
“Since taking on the role of General Manager, Sally has done a tremendous job leading the Ryman Auditorium business and she has grown public and music industry regard for the treasured and perennially awarded venue,” said Steve Buchanan, President, Opry Entertainment Group. “In her newly expanded role, she will also focus on intellectual property development, brand expansion opportunities and strategic brand partnerships for the Opry Entertainment Group franchise.”
During Williams’ tenure at the Ryman, the building has been named Pollstar’s Theatre of the Year three years in row; ACM (Academy of Country Music) Venue of the Year three times; SRO Venue of the Year Presented by CMA (Country Music Association) and IEBA (International Entertainment Buyer’s Association) Venue of the Year. In 2010, Williams was named the ACM Promoter of the Year and in 2012, IEBA named her Venue Executive of the Year. The Ryman ended 2012 ranked #15 domestically by Pollstar Magazine in ticket sales in the theatre category.
“The Grand Ole Opry and Ryman Auditorium are two of the most beloved names in entertainment,” said Williams. “Over a million people experience these treasures in person every year. I’m excited about the opportunity to work on new projects that will expand our audience, strengthen our existing alliances and bring new partners into the fold.”