Performing at the press conference. (L-R): BC Jean, Kara DioGuardi, Lee Thomas Miller, Linda Perry, and Desmond Child.
NSAI President/hit songwriter Lee Thomas Miller and NSAI Exec. Director Bart Herbison represented songwriters and music publishers at a hearing on Capitol Hill yesterday (11/28) about the controversial Internet Radio Fairness Act. Following the hearing, they called MusicRow to report on the day’s events.
The bill would change the royalty rates paid by non-interactive online streaming radio services, such as Pandora. The company, and others like it, are seeking a lower rate, which they argue would spur digital music innovation. Most music industry organizations and trade groups oppose the bill, including SoundExchange, RIAA, the Recording Academy, ASCAP, BMI, SESAC, NSAI and NMPA. More on the background here.
“The bill at hand deals with payment to the record companies, but [Pandora and other internet radio services] have also sued the P.R.O.s to lower the rates paid to songwriters and publishers,” explained Miller. “We were here to arm lawmakers with information about songwriters before the hearing.
“You can argue all you want about how to split up this pie, but remember we [songwriters] created 100 percent of this product. There was nothing and we made it up out of thin air.” Referencing the numerous jobs that surround music production, including careers at record labels, publishing companies, CD packaging, distribution and digital music, he continued, “Everybody else is trafficking in goods that we made. As you devalue the product, jobs go away in an already fragile industry. It’s ludicrous to go into the digital world with an assault to further devalue what is already being unfairly compensated.”
Miller performed alongside Kara DioGuardi, Linda Perry, Desmond Child, and BC Jean at the press conference, hosted by NMPA and NSAI, prior to the hearing.
“We played five songs, one each, and it was very well received,” Miller continued. “We played huge hits and explained to the press that the five songs had won multiple awards. In the last quarter, they collectively had 33 million spins on internet radio, and collectively we were paid $500. It was very powerful. I pointed out that I’m not famous, I don’t sell concert tickets or have another income stream. I write songs and I’m dependent on the royalties to raise a family. We wanted those in attendance to understand the rate internet radio is currently paying, before they went into the hearing and heard Pandora complain about unfair rates. We put a face with the creation.”
Herbison explained, “[Songwriters and publishers] get paid from a share of the ad revenue that is on the free part of Pandora [and there aren’t many ads]. I’ve been doing this 25 years, and I’ve never felt such emotion as was in that room today, based on those songs. Even some of the articles written by the tech industry today were some of the fairest I’ve seen. If the argument is that new technology gets preferential treatment on the price they have to pay for the creative product they’re distributing—that’s not what history shows. Thomas Edison put a needle to a wax cylinder and records were born and fair rate was set. Then radio came along and a fair rate was set.” He said he sensed fatigue among lawmakers, who have been asked to restructure rates several times since the dawn of the digital age. As for this bill, he added, “the next step depends on whether or not members of Congress reintroduce the legislation next year. It was a good day for songwriters and their side was presented fairly.”
Primetime ‘Nashville’: Lovesick Blues
/by Sarah SkatesDivas onstage.
Lovesick Blues—episode 107
Whether the fur is flying or they are just tolerating each other—Nashville is at its best when Juliette and Rayna share the screen. On Wednesday night’s episode (11/28), the dueling divas were forced to perform a duet at the EdgeHill Republic Records 25th anniversary concert. Claws came out when they couldn’t agree on what song to sing, so they teamed up to write one. The result was a sassy uptempo, ironically called “Wrong Song,” and actually penned by Marv Green, Sonya Isaacs, and Jimmy Yeary. Juliette and Rayna’s performance of the song at the end of the episode was a high point of the season thus far, with the mulit-Platinum upstart and the respected superstar strutting around the Ryman stage in sizzling hot dresses. Seeing Buddy Miller as band leader was an added bonus.
The episode offered plenty of juicy, plot-propelling bombshells. Trying to get over Avery, Scarlett hit the honky-tonks with Gunnar and his girlfriend. A few tequila shots later she was jamming onstage with The Cadillac Black singing “Ring of Fire,” and Gunnar’s romantic feelings for his co-writer were obvious. But she bolted from the bar and took a cab to her ex Avery’s house, just in time to walk in on him and his manager Marilyn—who was topless.
The cougar-manager is equally adept at making moves on the business front as she is in the bedroom. She landed Avery a big, headling gig at the Tequila Cowboy on Broadway and introduced him to Atlanta-based label head Dominic (Wyclef Jean).
It’s no-more-Mr.-nice-guy for Coleman after he was arrested for drugs during a traffic stop orchestrated by Lamar, so he is threatening to leak damaging photos of Teddy if he doesn’t drop out of the mayoral race. But Lamar has plenty more tricks up his Brooks Brothers sleeve to keep his son-in-law in the race.
In less shocking show moments, the romance heated up between Juliette and her football player beau Sean, and Deacon played sad songs at Bluebird, including the David Rawlings, Gillian Welch and David Lee Murphy tune “Papa Writes to Johnny.”
Actors Clare Bowen (“Scarlett”) and Sam Palladio (“Gunnar”) made their Grand Ole Opry debut Sat., Nov. 17 at the historic Ryman Auditorium. They sang “Fade Into You” and “If I Didn’t Know Better,” which will be featured on the soundtrack for “Nashville” to be released by Big Machine Records on Dec. 11. Photo: Joel Dennis, Hollo Photographics
Exclusive: Songwriters Make A Stand in Washington
/by Sarah SkatesPerforming at the press conference. (L-R): BC Jean, Kara DioGuardi, Lee Thomas Miller, Linda Perry, and Desmond Child.
NSAI President/hit songwriter Lee Thomas Miller and NSAI Exec. Director Bart Herbison represented songwriters and music publishers at a hearing on Capitol Hill yesterday (11/28) about the controversial Internet Radio Fairness Act. Following the hearing, they called MusicRow to report on the day’s events.
The bill would change the royalty rates paid by non-interactive online streaming radio services, such as Pandora. The company, and others like it, are seeking a lower rate, which they argue would spur digital music innovation. Most music industry organizations and trade groups oppose the bill, including SoundExchange, RIAA, the Recording Academy, ASCAP, BMI, SESAC, NSAI and NMPA. More on the background here.
“You can argue all you want about how to split up this pie, but remember we [songwriters] created 100 percent of this product. There was nothing and we made it up out of thin air.” Referencing the numerous jobs that surround music production, including careers at record labels, publishing companies, CD packaging, distribution and digital music, he continued, “Everybody else is trafficking in goods that we made. As you devalue the product, jobs go away in an already fragile industry. It’s ludicrous to go into the digital world with an assault to further devalue what is already being unfairly compensated.”
Miller performed alongside Kara DioGuardi, Linda Perry, Desmond Child, and BC Jean at the press conference, hosted by NMPA and NSAI, prior to the hearing.
“We played five songs, one each, and it was very well received,” Miller continued. “We played huge hits and explained to the press that the five songs had won multiple awards. In the last quarter, they collectively had 33 million spins on internet radio, and collectively we were paid $500. It was very powerful. I pointed out that I’m not famous, I don’t sell concert tickets or have another income stream. I write songs and I’m dependent on the royalties to raise a family. We wanted those in attendance to understand the rate internet radio is currently paying, before they went into the hearing and heard Pandora complain about unfair rates. We put a face with the creation.”
Herbison explained, “[Songwriters and publishers] get paid from a share of the ad revenue that is on the free part of Pandora [and there aren’t many ads]. I’ve been doing this 25 years, and I’ve never felt such emotion as was in that room today, based on those songs. Even some of the articles written by the tech industry today were some of the fairest I’ve seen. If the argument is that new technology gets preferential treatment on the price they have to pay for the creative product they’re distributing—that’s not what history shows. Thomas Edison put a needle to a wax cylinder and records were born and fair rate was set. Then radio came along and a fair rate was set.” He said he sensed fatigue among lawmakers, who have been asked to restructure rates several times since the dawn of the digital age. As for this bill, he added, “the next step depends on whether or not members of Congress reintroduce the legislation next year. It was a good day for songwriters and their side was presented fairly.”
Upcoming Album Releases
/by Jessica NicholsonJeff Black‘s B-Sides and Confessions Volume 2 is scheduled for release on Jan. 15, 2013. The release follows 2011’s Plow Through the Mystic. Black has been a frequent collaborator with musicians Sam Bush, the late Waylon Jennings, Alison Krauss, Dierks Bentley, Iris Dement, Wilco and others. Black’s song “Frozen Fields,” co-written with Jon Randall Stewart, was featured on the album Paper Airplanes from Krauss and Union Station, as well as on Jerry Douglas‘ album Traveler.
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Artist Updates (11/29/12)
/by Jessica NicholsonLittle Big Town postponed two concerts in California and cancelled an appearance on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno due to a death in the immediate family of one of the band members. The group’s Nov. 29 show at the Wiltern in Los Angeles will take place on Feb. 8, 2013. Little Big Town will also reschedule their Nov. 28 concert in Riverside, Calif. at a later date.
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Jamie O’Neal and Rachele Lynae are getting into the holiday spirit with a new duet of the holiday classic, “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,” which has been released to iTunes by the Momentum Label Group. The pair are currently in the studio finishing up Lynae’s debut album, which is scheduled for release in early 2013.
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Colbie Caillat and Gavin DeGraw shot a music video at a Nashville soundstage on Wednesday (Nov. 28), with director Roman White. The clip will promote the new single “We Both Know,” co-written by Caillat and DeGraw. The song is featured in the Nicholas Sparks film Safe Haven, starring Josh Duhamel and Julianne Hough, and set for release Feb. 14, 2013.
MIDEM Direct2Fan Camp
/by Jessica NicholsonArtists confirmed for the event’s Artists Speak to Artists sessions include Mark Hoppus of rock band Blink-182, singer-songwriter Julia Nunes and Paul Miller (aka DJ Spooky).
“Direct-to-fan is an increasingly effective tool for independent artists, labels, publishers, managers, marketers, and others in the music industry,” said Bruno Crolot, Reed MIDEM Director of Music Markets. “This rapidly developing strategy is being adopted by those looking to build and leverage a fan community. MIDEM’s Direct2Fan Camp is the place to find out how this vector can accelerate an artist’s career.”
Artists Added To GRAMMY Nominations Concert
/by MichelleLL COOL J and Taylor Swift will co-host the one-hour concert special. The show, which will announce nominations in several categories as well as feature performances by past GRAMMY winners and/or nominees will take place live for the first time at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville on Wednesday, Dec. 5, and will be broadcast on the CBS Television Network from 9 p.m. Central. Presenters will be announced shortly.
Longtime music and television producer Ken Ehrlich, and his production company AEG Ehrlich Ventures, will produce The GRAMMY Nominations Concert Live!! — Countdown To Music’s Biggest Night and the 55th Annual GRAMMY Awards, continuing his long run as executive producer of Music’s Biggest Night.
‘Forbes’ Ranks 25 Highest-Paid Musicians
/by Sarah SkatesDr. Dre leads the list with $110 million in pretax earnings between May 2011 and May 2012. His popular Beats headphones helped him bop to the top. Coming in second and third are touring forces Roger Waters with $88 million, and Elton John with $80 million.
Swift was Nashville’s top grossing artist, coming in at No. 8 with $57 million, a tie with Sir. Paul McCartney. Swift’s touring revenue earned her a reported $1 million per night in addition to revenue from marketing partnerships with CoverGirl and others. She also pulled in income from album sales and publishing for writing her own songs.
Keith tied for 10th place with 18-year-old Justin Bieber, each bringing in $55 million. Keith’s revenue is due to his Ford sponsorship, successful I Love This Bar And Grill restaurant chain, as well as label, management, and publishing interests.
Chesney came in No. 17 on the list with $44 million earned mostly from 48 tour stops in the U.S. and Canada, and Corona and Hooters sponsorships. His album, Welcome To The Fishbowl, was also released this year.
Methodology: Forbes estimates are based on total earnings from May 2011 to May 2012—the amount of money an act makes from record sales, touring, endorsements, merchandise sales and other ventures before subtracting management fees, legal costs and taxes (which can gobble up the bulk of a big payday). The totals were compiled with the help of data from Pollstar, RIAA and others, as well as interviews with industry insiders including concert promoters, lawyers, managers, agents and, in some cases, the musicians themselves.
Snapshots (11/29/12)
/by MichelleJustin Moore recently headlined a benefit concert featuring his friends, Jake Owen, Randy Houser and Thomas Rhett at Nashville’s Wildhorse Saloon. The event raised funds for the Jersey Shore Relief Fund and his publicist Carly Caramanna of PLA Media, whose parent’s home and business were destroyed by Hurricane Sandy. The proceeds collected for the Caramanna family and the hurricane victims in New Jersey totaled over $20,000. The Caramanna family was also presented with a charitable donation from Big Machine Label Group and Scott Borchetta. “I was completely blown away by the Nashville community. Their love and support has kept us going through this difficult time,” said Carly.
(L-R): Cindy Salgado, Dakota Caramanna, Nancy Caramanna, Carly Caramanna, Justin Moore, Adam Wurtzel, Photo: Bev Moser
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Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood returned to Leogane, Haiti, to participate in Habitat for Humanity’s 29th annual Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Work Project. They were among the nearly 600 volunteers who helped build 100 homes in the Santo community in partnership with families affected by the 2010 earthquake, which destroyed 105,000 homes.
(L-R): Brooks and Yearwood. Photo: George Hipple/Habitat for Humanity International
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Alan Jackson recently played for 30,000 people in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Jackson has returned to the US and is wrapping up his 2012 tour dates with three stops in Florida.
Big Ride Launches Booking Division
/by Eric T. ParkerPictured (L-R): Kim Leiske and Silver Treft
Big Ride Entertainment has launched an in-house booking division to join the newly relocated label services, management and artist development departments. Booking agent Silver Treft has been tapped lead the new division.
“In-house booking allows us to better provide complete services to our artists, specifically in the early stages of their careers,” said Big Ride Entertainment President Kim Leiske.
The new booking branch of the company is focusing on its roster including Marlee Scott, Craig Wayne Boyd, and Donny Fallgatter.
Treft was previously a booking and management services provider at West Virginia Radio Corporation. Her additional experience includes work as an event promoter and talent buyer for various artists.
For more information on the company, visit bigride.us.
Songwriters Sing For Good Causes
/by Sarah Skates• • • The 13th Annual “Nashville Unlimited” Christmas Concert will be held Tues., Dec. 11 at 7 p.m. in the sanctuary of Christ Church Cathedral downtown. The event will be hosted by musician/producer Dave Pomeroy and singer-songwriter Don Henry, who will perform along with Johnny Neel, Jonell Mosser, Gretchen Peters, The Ornaments featuring Jen Gunderman, Michael “Supe” Granda, Nashville Mandolin Ensemble, and more. Pomeroy has organized the concert benefiting Nashville’s Room In The Inn homeless program since 1992, raising over $150,000 for the cause. For the second year in a row, an anonymous donor has offered to match the funds raised at the concert. This boosted last year’s total to $18,000, the highest amount to date. Admission is a $20 suggested donation.
• • • The Women’s Music Business Association (WMBA) will host its annual Tunes for Tots toy drive and benefit show on Tues., Dec. 4 at 6:30 p.m. at Blue Bar/Lucy’s Country Café. Hit songwriters Bobby Pinson, Jeff Cohen, Rachel Thibodeau, and Jason Sever are slated to perform. Representatives from the U.S. Marines will be in attendance to collect toys and donations for the Toys for Tots Foundation. Admission is $5 or free with a new, unwrapped toy.