MusicRowPics: Tyler Barham Artist Visit

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Last week (3/27), Tyler Barham visited MusicRow headquarters. The Montana native got his start on YouTube posting cover videos, but now sings originals of his own.
Barham shared four songs, including his single, “17 and Young.” He also played “It’s All Because of You,” “Dance With The One That Brought You,” and “Just Two Kids.”
Barhamn’s music is currently available on iTunes. For more information visit www.tylerbarham.com or click here to see his YouTube channel.
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Industry Ink (4-3-13)

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Carrie Underwood

Carrie Underwood


Carrie Underwood has returned from a series of overseas dates and has played to sold-out crowds each night so far on the 2013 U.S. leg of her The Blown Away tour. All 22 tour dates performed so far this year  have been sell-outs, including Buffalo’s First Niagara Center, Hamilton, ON’s Copps Coliseum, Spokane’s Spokane Arena, and Fresno’s SaveMart Center, each with sold-out crowds of over 10,000 attendees.
“The Blown Away Tour” broke records at the WFCU Centre in Windsor, ON, Canada as the fastest sell-out to date for the arena, as well as record-breaking attendance. The tour, which launched last June, has played across the United States, Canada, the U.K., Ireland, and Australia, and will perform a total of 111 dates in less than a year before wrapping on May 23 in Abbotsford, BC, Canada.

• • •

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Bernie Taupin and Elton John


The Rymer Gallery, Nashville’s premier Fine Art Gallery, presents “Beyond Words”, an extraordinary collection of contemporary artworks by legendary songwriter and lyricist Bernie Taupin. Beginning on March 30, the public will be able to preview the artwork at The Rymer Gallery – 233 5th Avenue North. Exhibition previews will run through April 7, with special appearances by Taupin on Saturday, April 6 (1-3 p.m.) and Sunday, April 7 (1-3 p.m.). Visit www.therymergallery.com for more information.
 

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Manuel


Clothier Manuel has started the Indiegogo campaign to fund New Vision, an inspired design direction that speaks to the demand for individualism in fashion. Launching on April 9, 2013, Manuel American Designs is hosting a 40-day long pledge drive to raise $250,000 to purchase state-of-the art equipment; establish an artisan co-operative; restructure business operations; and to produce and promote first run items. Ushering in this New Vision in his storied career, Manuel is bringing to life a unique line of one-of-a-kind American apparel pieces and accessory items that will include a variety of accessories, leather goods, boots, dresses, pants, shirts, skirts and other apparel items for men and women priced from $50-$600.
“In a world of mass produced clothing and a culture that has rewarded ‘sameness’ for three decades, Manuel is calling for a new age for individualism,” said Corissa Benchley, Marketing, Sales, and Product Development Manager for Manuel American Designs. “Fashion is a natural outlet for people to express who they are and, up until now, the kind of high fashion Manuel creates was limited to wealthy consumers. New Vision is a way for Manuel to reach the new audience of the ‘everyday American’ while preserving his legacy of art and craftsmanship.”
In addition, Manuel American Designs is hosting an official campaign launch party with singer Jordan Allena on Wednesday, April 10 from 5-7 p.m. A “Manuel Pub Crawl” will follow as party-goers at acclaimed Nashville hot-spots will preview a sampling of some of the New Vision pieces and can pledge their support. For more information, visit manuelcouture.com
 
 
 

Artist Updates (4-3-13)

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kentucky headhunters11111The Kentucky HeadHunters will be inducted into the Kentucky Music Hall of Fame. They will join fellow inductees Steven Curtis Chapman, Exile, Skeeter Davis, Old Joe Clark, The Hilltoppers and Emory and Linda Martin. The ceremony is scheduled for Friday, April 12 at the Lexington Center Bluegrass Ballroom in Lexington, Ky. More information is available by calling 877-356-3263 or 606-256-1000 or by visiting kentuckymusicmuseum.com. The museum is located in Renfro Valley, Ky, home of the Father of Bluegrass Bill Monroe, Merle Travis, The Everly Brothers, Loretta Lynn, Rosemary Clooney, Dwight Yoakam and many more.

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kchesney42711Kenny Chesney will perform at New York City’s Highline Ballroom for an exclusive, invitation-only concert for SiriusXM listeners on Wednesday, May 1. The “Early Kick Off to Summer” concert, which will be broadcast on Saturday, May 4 at 8 p.m. ET on The Highway, channel 59. Chesney will perform several of his hits, as well as songs from the largely self-penned Life On A Rock, which also features guest appearances from Willie Nelson and the Wailers Band and is scheduled to be released on April 30.

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darius_ruckerDarius Rucker will host the fourth annual “Darius and Friends” benefit concert in Nashville, Tenn. on Monday, June 3 at the Wildhorse Saloon with proceeds from the night going directly to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. A special offer code will be shared with St. Jude and Rucker’s Facebook and Twitter followers for ticket pre-sale beginning today, Wednesday, April 3 at 11 a.m. CDT with general on sale opening at 10 a.m. CDT on Friday, April 5. A fourth consecutive sell-out is anticipated, so fans are encouraged to purchase their tickets early. Prices start at $35 for General Admission and go up to $100 for VIP table options. Tickets will be available through the Wildhorse Saloon box office (615-902-8200 x1), WildhorseSaloon.com, and DariusRucker.com.
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luke bryan photo featureLuke Bryan will introduce his brand-new single “Crash My Party” on the upcoming ACM Awards show telecast. His debut performance of the never-before-heard song will be the first time that fans will get a taste of what’s to come on Bryan’s upcoming fourth studio album. “Crash My Party” will be available for purchase following the show that evening.In addition to co-hosting the ACM Awards for the first time, Luke also has four nominations– Entertainer Of The Year, Male Vocalist of the Year, Album of the Year for Tailgates & Tanlines, and Vocal Event of the Year for “The Only Way I Know” with Jason Aldean and Eric Church. Fans can continue to cast their votes once a day for Luke Bryan to be this year’s ACM Awards Entertainer Of The Year by visiting VoteACM.com.

• • •

While in Baltimore, MD for their sold-out show at the Rams Head, Republic Nashville’s Florida Georgia Line went dirt biking with friend and motorsports champion Travis Pastrana. “Meeting Travis at the Super Bowl this year was incredible. For him to invite us to hang out at his compound and ride around with the Nitro Circus crew, was a dream come true,” shares FGL member Tyler Hubbard (Monroe, Ga.) who grew up riding dirt bikes on back roads and a huge motorsports fan. FGL member Brian Kelley (Ormond Beach, Fla.) adds, “Anytime we can get outdoors, spend time with friends and go four-wheeling, I’m in!”
FGL dirt riding111

 
 

Presenters Announced for 48th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards

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acmlogoslider12 Broke Girls star Beth Behrs, Vegas star Michael Chiklis, Sheryl Crow, The Big Bang Theory’s Kaley Cuoco, John Fogerty, omg! INSIDER co-anchor Kevin Frazier,San Francisco 49ersNFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick, Miranda Lambert, Scotty McCreery and Kacey Musgraves, Entertainment Tonight co-anchor Nancy O’Dell, Jake Owen, Reba and Keith Urban, and A&E’s Duck Dynasty stars Willie & Korie Robertson are scheduled to present as part of the 48th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards. The ceremony, which will be co-hosted by Luke Bryan and Blake Shelton, honors country music’s top talent, as well as the industry’s hottest emerging artists. It is produced for television by dick clark productions and will be broadcast LIVE from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas Sunday, April 7, 2013 at 8:00 PM live ET/delayed PT on the CBS Television Network.
They join previously announced presenters Tori Kelly and LL Cool J.
In addition, Jason Aldean, Garth Brooks, Luke Bryan, Kenny Chesney, Eric Church, Jewel, Kelly Clarkson, Miranda Lambert, Tim McGraw, Blake Shelton, George Strait, Taylor Swift, Carrie Underwood, Lady Antebellum, Little Big Town and The Band Perry have been announced as performers for the event.

Robold To Lead Southern Ground Artists

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Ken Robold

Ken Robold


Music industry veteran Ken Robold has been named president of Zac Brown’s label Southern Ground Artists. Robold will oversee Southern Ground’s recorded music, publishing and studio divisions. He will focus on building the publishing catalog, which will include Zac Brown Band’’s future works, and growing the label roster, currently home to Blackberry Smoke, Clay Cook, Nic Cowan, Sonia Leigh, Levi Lowrey, The Wheeler Boys and The Wood Brothers.
Robold most recently served as Executive VP and General Manager of Universal Music Group Nashville, where he oversaw day-to-day operations and worked with artists including Vince Gill, Reba McEntire, Lionel Richie, George Strait, Shania Twain, Ryan Adams, Jamey Johnson, Lucinda Williams and Lee Ann Womack. The role was the culmination of a nearly 22-year career at PolyGram Records / Universal Music Group.
“My vision for Southern Ground Artists has always been to create a home for diverse and talented songwriters. Based on Ken’s work at UMG Nashville, and particularly at Lost Highway, he is the perfect fit to head up the label,” said SGA founder Zac Brown. “We’re looking forward to what Ken brings to our team.”
“To get to work with an artist such as Zac Brown at an artist-owned, entrepreneurial company is simply a dream come true,” said Robold. “While getting to know Zac in the last few months, I have found that his talent and creativity are surpassed only by what a quality human being he is. I’m looking forward to building this company together.”

Arista Nashville Taps Cooper as National Director of Promotion Strategy

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Jeni Cooper111

Jeri Cooper


Arista Nashville has added Jeri Cooper as National Director, Promotion Strategy, reporting to Lesly Tyson, VP, Promotion. Cooper rejoins the Arista Nashville team with more than two decades of experience in country record promotion. In her new position, she will play a key strategic role on the promotion team alongside Arista Nashville National Director of Promotion John Sigler.
“Jeri is not only an outstanding promotion executive, she is a member of the Sony family.  She spent 12 years of her career breaking artists and helping create superstars with Arista Nashville, and I am absolutely thrilled to welcome her home in this incredible new role,” said Tyson.
Cooper had spent the past year and a half at Sony Music Nashville subbing in for various promotion roles across the RCA Nashville and Columbia Nashville Promotion teams after rejoining the company from Red Light Management, where she served as a day-to-day manager for Arista artists Jason Michael Carroll and Adam Brand from 2010-2011. A Sony veteran, Cooper served as Director of Regional Promotion for Arista Nashville from 1998-2010, where she oversaw the major market airplay of the Arista Nashville roster including Brad Paisley, Carrie Underwood, Alan Jackson, Brooks and Dunn and others. Prior to that, she served as Regional Promotion Manager for Columbia records from 1993-1998.  Cooper began her tenure with the company in 1991 as a Manager of secondary promotion at BNA Records. Cooper currently lives in Franklin with her husband and their son.
 
 

Weekly Register: Shelton Surge And Q1 Countdown

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blakeSometimes number crunching, SoundScan summin’, chart watchin’, sales analysts simply have no patience.
Take me for example. Only a few weeks ago I was complaining over the lack of fresh new product and having to endure dire sales. But today, at the close of Q1, country music sales are starting to show strength if not honest-to-goodness resilience. Might be exactly the moment to offer a tip of the hat to label marketing departments. Good job guys (and gals)…
On the country chart this week we are enjoying Top 10 debuts from Blake Shelton (No. 1; 199k, 39 percent digital), Alan Jackson (No. 2; 55k, 13 percent digital) and Thompson Square (No. 4; 36k, 31 percent digital). There’s also a various artist ACM Awards Zinepak Wal-Mart Exclusive that hit No. 11 with over 15k physical-only units. And last, but not least Ms. Maggie Rose entered the chart at No. 36 with almost 2k units (69 percent digital).
weeklygrid3-31-13On country tracks there’s two guys burnin’ it up this week. Darius Rucker’s “Wagon Wheel” earns honors for rolling into the top spot with over 93k downloads for the week. But Blake Shelton has taken ownership of the Digital Genre Country list. The Voice judge has 13 tracks on the 100 song list, many of them from his above mentioned debut album.
Since fans are less genre conscious than ever these days, the full house of debuts on the Top 200 chart was also a solid source of sales momentum. Justin Timberlake topped the chart with week 2 of his 20/20 Experience that scanned over 968k last week plus almost 318k this week. Blake, Alan and Thompson Square were joined on the Top 200 by debuts from Lil Wayne (No. 2; 217k), Onerepublic (No. 4; 60k), Depeche Mode (No. 6; 52k) and Strokes (No. 10; 41k).
Grid Lock
So let’s take a look at where we are, compared to last year, as we turn the first quarter corner of 2013.
weeklygrid3-24-13Country album sales are now less than 1 percent behind 2012 YTD, and all other country “Weekly Grid” stats are leaning into positive territory. As shown, digital albums are up 21.2 percent. Digital country albums now average about 32 percent of total country album sales. (Last year at this time that percentage was 26.2 percent.) Using digital sales as a metric one can see that Alan Jackson fans very likely skew into older demographics since even on debut week his digital share of sales was lower than average at 13 percent. Also significant is that All Genre buyers opt for digital albums at a higher percentage than country buyers (43.8 vs. 32 percent).
And there’s even good news for the eternal optimists that cling to the concept that digital sales (both albums and tracks) will make up for losses in physical sales. Well, at least according to country units (not profits), this week you are correct. Note the special column on the far right of the Q1 Weekly Grid which shows “Albums with TEA” and you’ll note that country album sales including TEA are up .8 percent.
Weekly Grid stats for All Genre sales are less positive, but improving. Even albums with TEA is still in negative territory (-3.8 percent).
Over the next few weeks look for new releases from The Band Perry (April 2), Brad Paisley (April 9), Eric Church (April 9) and Kenny Chesney (April 30). See a complete list here.

Craig Wiseman's Music Row Rally To Be Held April 16

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38f2e8f7b540fde42458dfc949bfa27b_posterCraig Wiseman and Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee are proud to announce its fourth annual Music Row Rally to be held on Tuesday, April 16 on Music Row in the Big Loud Shirt parking lot located at 1111 16th Ave. South. Host and acclaimed songwriter Wiseman will be joined by Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee, and a few local food trucks, including fan favorites Riffs Fine Street Foods, Smoke et Al, Biscuit Love Truck, Jeni’s Splendid Ice Cream and Doughworks on Tuesday, April 16 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The proceeds go toward a great cause; 10 percent of all profits made by the food trucks will be donated to Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee. A $1 donation from all attendees at the door is requested as an additional way to give to this incredible charity.

 The Music Row Rally helps kicks off the 9th annual Stars For Second Harvest benefit on Tuesday, June 4, 2013 at 7:30pm at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville. Hosted by Wiseman, this concert features an unplugged acoustic style performance by some of country music’s brightest songwriters, a comedic performance by Ralphie May, a special performance by Florida Georgia Line. The event takes place during CMA Music Festival, so attendees can expect some surprises.
Presented by O’Charley’s, this not-to-be missed evening helps to raise awareness of hunger issues in Tennessee. Tickets are on-sale now for $35 at ticketmaster.com. For preferred VIP seating please contact the Second Harvest Food Bank at 615-329-3491. All proceeds from the concert benefit the Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee in their efforts to feed hungry people and work to solve hunger issues in our community. For more information contact Brittany Hansen at 615.329.3491 or visit their website at secondharvestmidtn.org.

 

'Muscle Shoals Live' Nashville Benefit and NaFF Screening

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Muscle-ShoalsThe music of Muscle Shoals will be highlighted during a Nashville benefit concert after the screening of Muscle Shoals Documentary at the Nashville Film Festival on April 20.

The evening, titled “Muscle Shoals Live: The River That Sings” will be held at Lipscomb’s Collins Auditorium at 8:30 p.m., shortly after the documentary’s Tennessee debut at the Nashville Film Festival beginning at 6:00 p.m. CT.

Hosted by the International Black Film Festival of Nashville and Mid-Town Music Academy in close collaboration with the NaFF, the Lipscomb event will feature music from The Swampers, Jesse Boyce and FAME Gang, Gino Speight and The SOS Band, Harvey Thompson of The Muscle Shoals Horns, Angela Primm of Still Waters; jazz musician & vocalist Thomas Cain.

“This is a great story that reveals how local musicians and internationally known artists came together to create soulful music that connected people beyond race, gender and national origin around the world during the era of segregation,” said Hazel Joyner Smith, IBFFN Executive Director and founder IBFFN. “We are offering a double treat with both the film and musical production that will feature many of the original players and their music that still rocks today.”
The documentary, which chronicles the spiritual influence of the music of Muscle Shoals, premiered at the 2013 Sundance Film Festival from writer and director Greg “Freddy” Camalier.
To purchase tickets, visit the IBFFN website. Tickets will also be available onsite during the NaFF and at the Allen Arena Box Office the day of the concert.

DISClaimer: Let The March To Stardom Begin

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Photo

Kacey Musgraves


Let the march to stardom begin. It has been so, so gratifying to watch the world fall in love with Kacey Musgraves. [MusicRow Publisher] Sherod [Robertson] and I rejoiced together when she introduced “Merry Go Round” at the 2012 CRS convention. It took a full year, but that song finally entered the top-10 in time for CRS 2013. All of that is a preamble to stating that Kacey’s follow-up, “Blowin’ Smoke,” is the Disc of the Day. It’s a good idea to populate a new band with seasoned vets. That’s the way the Texas Jamm Band won a DisCovery Award. Special kudos go to the group for keeping real country music alive.
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Texas Jamm Band


Billy Currington/Hey Girl
Writers: Rhett Akins/Chris DeStefano/Ashley Gorley; Producer: Dan Huff; Publishers:EMI Blackwood/EMI April/Sugar Glider/External Combustion/Out of the Taperoom/Songs of Southside Independent, BMI/ASCAP, Mercury
-A bit of a disappointment. In the past, he has shown such unerring good taste in material, so I was startled by how lackluster this pick-up ditty is. Back to the drawing board.
Danielle Car/Turn You On
Writers: Danielle Car; Producer: Chuck AlKasian, Danielle Car and Brian Lord; Publisher: none listed, BMI; DC
-I have liked this Detroit diva in the past. This time around, she’s rocking a boozy, saucy, sexy roller with more than enough backbeat to kick you in the rear end. Rock on, sister.
Kacey Musgraves/Blowin’ Smoke
Writers: Kacey Musgraves/Luke Laird/Shane McAnally; Producers: Kacey Musgraves, Luke Laird & Shane McAnally; Publishers: Warner-Tamerlane/351/Universal Careers/Crazy Water/Smack Songs/Little Blue Egg/Kobalt,BMI/ASCAP; Mercury
-I am totally smitten with her conversational vocal drawl. The fact that she’s such a brilliant songwriter is another reason I hang on every line. Buy this woman’s record right now.
Tyler Barham/It’s Valentine’s Day
Writers: Bobby Hamrick/John Griffin; Producers: Dave Flint and John Griffin; Publisher: none listed, YN (track)
-He has a sincere, warm singing style that is extremely engaging. The meandering, lovelorn ballad, however, does nothing for me. Find him a hit song.
Little Big Town/Your Side of the Bed
Writers: Lori McKenna/Karen Fairchild/Kimberly Schlapman/Phillip Sweet/Jimi Westbrook; Producer: Jay Joyce; Publisher: Songs of Universal/Hoodie/Warner-Tamerlane, BMI; Capitol
-Love has died in this gorgeous, harmony-soaked ballad. Jimi Westbrook, who is one of our finest male vocalists, swaps lines with wife Karen Fairchild during the group’s spectacular performance. In a word, superb.
Joni Rae Jack/Wild Side
Writers: none listed; Producer: Shayne Morrison and Greg Hunt; Publisher: none listed; Rockin Moon
-She’s in church, daydreaming about the not-so-holy things she was up to the night before. He catches her eye from a pew and gives her a grin. A naughty-but-nice rocker.
Johnny Rivers/My Bucket’s Got A Hole In It
Writers: traditional; Producer: Johnny Rivers; Publisher: public domain; Soul City
-Pop legend Rivers refashions this Hank Williams/Ricky Nelson oldie into an acoustic romp. There’s still plenty of thump in the rhythm, but it also has a definite bluegrass vibe. By the way, why isn’t this guy in the Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame?
Jeremy Steding/Lyin’
Writers: Jeremy Steding; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed, BMI; Smith
-The track works up a lather with its double-time, rumbling tempo while the baritone vocalist drawls languidly atop the audio excitement. Quite listenable.
Carrie Underwood/See You Again
Writers:Carrie Underwood/Steve Hodges/Hillary Lindsey; Producer: Mark Bright; Publisher:Carrie-Okie/EMI Blackwood/1206/Raylene/BMG Chrysalis, BMI/ASCAP; Arista/19
-It would be hard to top the drama in either “Blown Away” or “Two Black Cadillacs.” Instead, Carrie opts for a big, beefy, pop power ballad. Loaded with melodic hooks and heart-tugging, love-eternal lyrics, it’s pretty hard not to get completely caught up in it.
Texas Jamm Band/Drinkin’ Doubles
Writers: none listed; Producer: Texas Jamm Band and Tommy Detamore; Publishers: none listed; Glad/MDM
-This eight-man group contains members of George Strait’s Ace in the Hole band. So it’s no surprise that its debut single is country, country, country all the way. The members settle into a slow two-step groove, and super-tasteful steel guitar lines dominate the arrangement. Excellent work, fellas.