Toby Keith, Phoenix Stone
What a sonic harvest we have this week.
Good luck, radio programmers. You’re going to have to make room for a heaping helping of new sounds. The Zac Brown Band has the most beautifully produced single of the week. The Band Perry has the most refreshingly original sound. Amy Rose turns in the finest vocal performance. Kelly Clarkson has the coolest groove. And Tim McGraw is playing at the top of his game. All of these folks deserve massive airplay.
For the Disc of the Day, I am going with the masterful new effort by Toby Keith. He’s playing the part of a bartender with a big shoulder to cry on in “Hope on the Rocks.” And he makes you believe every word of it.
Like Toby, Phoenix Stone writes and produces his own single, as well as singing it well. So he’s taking home this week’s DisCovery Award.
PHOENIX STONE/100 Proof Moonshine
Writer: Phoenix Stone; Producer: Phoenix Stone; Publisher: Stonelib, ASCAP; Stonehall (www.phoenixstoneofficial.com)
—Very nicely produced, with a crashing drum sound, banjo grace notes, a ringing electric guitar and some hearty shouting chorus boys. Stone sings with southern gusto, and the song has loads of memorable hooks. Play it.
TIM McGRAW/One of Those Nights
Writer: Luke Laird/Rodney Clawson/Chris Tompkins; Producer: Byron Gallimore & Tim McGraw; Publisher: Universal-Careers/Big Red Toe/Amarillo Sky/Big Loud Bucks/Big Loud Songs/Angel River, BMI/ASCAP; Big Machine
—The sound of young love. He and his babe head for the party, dance to a slow tune and get it on later. The whole thing is wrapped up in echoey, wistful nostalgia. Superbly listenable.
LOVE AND THEFT/Runnin’ Out of Air
Writer: Matt Jenkins/Shane McAnally/Josh Osborne; Producer: Josh Leo; Publisher: Songs of Bims/Kobalt/Crazy Water/Little Blue Egg/Want a Fresh One/Black River, ASCAP; RCA (track)
—It has a glossy-pop sound, a galloping beat and rich vocal harmonies. It’s not exactly my cup of tea, but there’s no denying the polished craftsmanship at work here.
TOBY KEITH/Hope on the Rocks
Writer: Toby Keith; Producer: Toby Keith; Publisher: Tokeco, BMI; Show Dog Universal (track)
—Forget what I implied last week. I still do dearly love “Cold Beer Country,” and the label did send it out as a tune to be listened to, but it is NOT the new single. This is. It is the moody, meditative title tune of Toby’s album. The disillusioned and downtrodden find their way into the bartender’s establishment to drown their sorrows. It is superbly written, and he sings the fire out of it. This man is a hoss.
KELLY CLARKSON & VINCE GILL/Don’t Rush
Writer: Blu Sanders/Natalie Hemby/Lindsay Dawn Chapman; Producer: Dann Huff; Publisher: Tiltawhirl/Carnival/Lindsay Dawn Chapman, BMI/ASCAP; 19/RCA
—With Vince supplying heavenly harmony, Kelly sways through this groove-a-minute tune with an old-school R&B vibe. Wonderfully rhythmic.
AMY ROSE/I Just Want You to Know
Writer: Gottwald/Sandberg; Producer: After Tuesday Productions; Publisher: Kasz Money/Universal, ASCAP; Wild Rose (www.amyrosemusic.com)
—This was a 2006 hit for The Backstreet Boys, and her version doesn’t countrify the song all that much. That said, her sultry, range-y singing voice is beyond excellent.
THE BAND PERRY /Better Dig Two
Writer: Brandy Clark/Shane McAnally/Trevor Rosen; Producer: Dann Huff; Publisher: Tunes of Bigger Picture/Vista Loma/Songs of Bigger Picture/Crazy Water/Little Blue Egg/Kobalt/ReHits/Unfair Entertainment, ASCAP; Republic Nashville
—Very cool. The crisp little banjo licks, thumpy percussion and sonic crashes give it a super dramatic sound. The dark, threatening lyric and the energetic vocals are pluses as well. Innovative and ear catching.
ZAC BROWN BAND/Goodbye in Her Eyes
Writer: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; RPM Entertainment (ERG)
—When they hit those chorus harmonies, I rose right out of my chair. Man, these guys can sing. This is one thrilling, gorgeous and deliciously melodic little record.
SMOKEY RIVER BOYS/All Pure Country
Writer: Robert Metzger; Producer: Robert Metzger; Publisher: Aim High/Universal, ASCAP; Platinum Plus (CDX) (www.smokeyriverboys.com)
—As you might guess from the title, this a for-real hillbilly-cornball outing. Country with a capital “K.”
JOSIE BRANDON/Crazy Week
Writer: Josie Brandon; Producer: Ian Spanic & Josie Brandon; Publisher: Josie Brandon, ASCAP; Tiger (CDX) (www.josiebrandonmusic.com)
—The song won’t win any contest prizes, that’s for sure. She sings it as loud as she can, but there’s no getting around its lameness.
Shelton’s Christmas Special, Lambert’s New Store
/by Sarah SkatesLambert is opening a store called the Pink Pistol in Tishomingo, Oklahoma. Set to debut on Black Friday, (Nov. 23), the shop will carry all of ‘Ran’s favorite things, from gifts and antiques to boots and jeans. She and Shelton live on a farm near Tishomingo. She will compete for favorite country female at the Nov. 18 American Music Awards, airing on ABC and then hit the road with Dierks Bently on the Locked & Reloaded tour Jan. 17.
Warner Nationwide Restructuring Unlikely to Affect Nashville
/by Sarah Skates• Recorded music—includes Warner Music Nashville, Atlantic Records and Warner Bros. Records.
• Music publishing and catalog development—will bring together Warner/Chappell and Rhino Entertainment under Warner Chappell CEO and chairman, Cameron Strang. This move is designed to spur catalog exploitation, which includes synch licensing. Rhino offers many music reissues, and has product by Emmylou Harris, Willie Nelson, Travis Tritt, Randy Travis, Willie Nelson, Dwight Yoakam Led Zeppelin, The Doors, The Smiths, Chicago, Foreigner, Aretha Franklin, Otis Redding, The Monkees, The Stooges, Percy Sledge, Wilson Pickett, Tony Joe White and more.
• Label and artist services—home to distribution and other peripheral operations such as tour production, booking, artists services, event production and marketing, this includes WEA, ADA, 360° Operations and D2C. Matt Signore will lead the label and artist services division as general manager / CFO.
Billboard first broke the story, when it obtained an email from WMG CEO Steve Cooper to employees.
Weekly Register: Awards Bump Becomes A Minor Convexity
/by bossrossThe 46th CMA Awards reaped its lowest ever ratings last week due to events such as the power blackout in New York and New Jersey, the program’s move to Thursday night and perhaps somewhat due to the overall erosion of network TV audiences. Regardless, it still won the evening for ABC and creatively was extremely successful. But how did it reflect at the cash register?
The Awards were a major force in the week’s sales, but one also has to allow for the fact that Taylor Swift’s 1.2 million unit album launch happened the week before the show, (and luckily pre-hurricane Sandy). Swift’s 72% post-launch drop this week clouds our numbers giving the post-awards country album sales a highly unusual week over week drop of 40%. However, if we compare this post-awards week (1.165 million country albums) with two weeks ago (1.054 million) then country sales are up about 10.5%. Still tepid, especially when you consider Swift’s week two sales of 344k are in the post show numbers.
Happily the Awards show did propel some artists to phat week/week percentage gains. But those numbers can also be misleading. For example, Eric Church jumped 121%, but actually gained only 12,371 units. Blake Shelton’s Red River Blue spiked 179% which equates to 5,389 additional sales units; Luke Bryan saw an 87% uptick on 11,233 additional sales. Considering the costs involved in putting an artist and band on the show, these increases are less joyous than the percentages would indicate. The Top 5 album gainers by percentage (all Awards performers) were Miranda Lambert +194%, Thompson Square +184%, Blake Shelton 179%, Brad Paisley +153% and Eric Church +121%.
Keeping Track
Country tracks had some nice gains to report with a 25% overall week over week jump. Miranda Lambert/Blake Shelton Song of the Year winner “Over You” was downloaded over 38k times, racking up an impressive 974% gain. The Band Perry performed “Better Dig Two” causing it to debut on the country tracks at No. 2 with over 82k downloads. Swift led the country tracks with “We Are Never…” scanning over 87k units. Her performance of “Begin Again” placed that track at No. 11 with almost 40k units.
The Kelly Clarkson/Vince Gill duet, “Don’t Rush” performed on TV debuted at No. 10 with over 41k units and CMA Award winner Thompson Square’s “If I Didn’t Have You” debuted at No. 12 with almost 39k units.
Turning The Telescope
Eight weeks remain in the 2012 sales calendar. Country sales are currently ahead 2.3%. To end the year flat, we will need to average 1.17 million country album units each week. This week ended 11/4/12 we shifted 1.16 million units. Stay tuned…
Charlie Daniels Hosts “Soldier’s Story” Documentary
/by Caitlin RantalaDirected and produced by David Corlew, the veteran filmmaker enlisted writer/co-producer Tim Weeks and editor/director of photography Nathan Shuppert to help bring the patriotic documentary to life. The film also features a special appearance by Major General Terry “Max” Haston, Adjutant General of the Tennessee National Guard.
“I am honored to team with GAC’s Sarah Trahern and Suzanne Gordon to tell the stories like these that need to be told,” said Corlew. “Through this process, we’re hoping to inspire our communities to reach out, and in some small way, to support the men and women who choose to serve and protect our nation.”
The compelling documentary follows the lives of several U.S. Army and Marine veterans as they return home from the combat zones of Iraq and Afghanistan to find a new set of challenges awaiting them: rehabilitation from lasting physical and emotional injuries and re-integration into civilian life as they search for a new future. Watch a trailer for the program here.
Snapshots (11/7/12)
/by FreemanMike Borchetta recently got to visit with the legendary Glen Campbell at a concert in Sarasota, Florida. Campbell and Borchetta originally worked together in 1961 when Borchetta worked for Irwin Zucker Promotions in Hollywood and promoted Campbell’s “Turn Around Look At Me” on Crest Records.
(L-R): Mike and Martha Borchetta; Campbell, his daughter Ashley, and wife Kim
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RareSpark Media Group, Inc. honored its newly-signed songwriters during its grand opening celebration prior to the CMA Awards.
(L-R): Jon McElroy, E Marlowe, Suzanne Strickland (Owner/CEO), Jim Reilley, Victoria Banks and Scot Sherrod (VP/GM). Photo: Jason Krupek
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Country singer Teea Goans was recently invited to open several shows for comedy icon Bob Newhart. The first of the shows took place Oct. 19 in Branson, MO. The next shows will take place Nov. 9 and 10.
The Civil Wars Abruptly Cancel Tour
/by Eric T. ParkerThe Civil Wars
As quickly as The Civil Wars swept to national attention, the duo has decided to pull the plug on all further tour dates, according to the band’s official website.
The two were in the middle of a European tour and planning a 2013 Australian/New Zealand tour. No official word has been released regarding the band’s future status together, but the statement makes mention of intentions to release new material in 2013:
For ticket holders who incurred non-refundable charges surrounding the abrupt cancellations, the band is making a rare attempt to reimburse these charges by accepting solicitations by email.
Former Christian artist, Joy Williams, and singer-songwriter John Paul White launched into the national spotlight when their EP title-track, “Poison & Wine,” was featured in an episode of Grey’s Anatomy and gained backing from Taylor Swift’s social media arsenal. The success of the Gold-certified album’s title track “Barton Hollow,” earned the group a spot on Adele’s North American and UK tours and nominations for three CMT Awards, and five CMA Awards, including Musical Event for a collaboration with Swift on “Safe and Sound” from The Hunger Games soundtrack. The group took home two Grammys earlier this year for Country Duo/Group Performance and Best Folk Album.
Together, they have released one studio album, two EPs, three live albums, five singles, and three music videos with Sensibility Music. The duo’s “I Heard the Bells On Christmas Day” was just released last week (10/11) on a compilation titled, Holidays Rule.
Industry Ink Wednesday (11/7/12)
/by Sarah SkatesWarner Music Nashville hosted a cocktail party prior to the BMI Country Music Awards on Oct. 30. Pictured (L-R): Frankie Ballard, Krista Maria, Damien Horne, Nick Hoffman (The Farm), Charlie Worsham, John Esposito (President, Warner Music Nashville), Jana Kramer, Scott Hendricks (SVP of A&R, Warner Music Nashville), Hunter Hayes, Chris Stacey (SVP, Promotion, Warner Music Nashville), Rachel Reinert and Tom Gossin (Gloriana)
Luellyn Latocki Hensley is moving her award-winning firm, Latocki Team Creative, to her home at the beginning of 2013. With a decade of experience, she specializes in art direction, graphic design, image alignment and brand management. She can continue to be reached at 615-298-3533 or luellyn@latockiteamcreative.com.
Maggie Berry, Senior Graphic Designer with Latocki Team Creative, will continue to work with Latocki Hensley on a contract basis and will be accepting additional freelance opportunities. Her diverse design background in digital and print media spans 13 years. She can be reached at maggie.berry@comcast.net.
In related news, Luellyn and James Hensley welcomed son, Niles “Rocket” Hensley on July 30, 2012, weighing 7 pounds 9 ounces and 21.5 inches long. Little Rocket and his family are doing great.
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Save the date: The 21st Annual Tin Pan South will be held April 1-6, 2013.
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Following Sony/ATV’s acquisition of EMI, here are a few updated email addresses:
Tom Luteran – Tom.Luteran@sonyatv.com
Josh Van Valkenburg – JoshV@sonyatv.com
Hannah Post – Hannah.Post@sonyatv.com
Mike Scheidman (admin) – Mike.Scheidman@sonyatv.com
Seth Johnson (catalog) – Seth.Johnson@sonyatv.com
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Joe Kustelski has been named CEO of Etix. He is co-founder and head of product and technology at Rockhouse Partners, a digitally focused entertainment agency based in Nashville, which was acquired by Etix in January 2011. Kustelski’s Rockhouse co-founder, Tawn Albright, will become Executive Vice President for Etix in addition to continuing to manage and grow Rockhouse’s operations.
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The second annual Touring Career Workshop at Soundcheck Nashville (Annex) will be held Mon., Nov. 19 from 6-10 p.m. Admission is free. The event was founded by Chris Lisle (Chris Lisle Lighting Design) and Erik Parker (Lighting Director for Billy Currington). There will be a keynote session from Ed Wannebo (Production Manager for Kenny Chesney) and featured panelists include: Troy Von Haefen (Financial Planning), Joy Black (Tax Planning and Accounting), Shane Hamill, Sara Hamill, Patti Lisle (Navigating Relationships on the Road), Eric Elwell (Your Career is a Business), Debbie Carroll and Stephen Navyac (MusiCares® and Stress of the Road), Chris Lisle (Getting Into Touring), and RJ Stillwell (Health Insurance). The event will be followed by a Networking Afterparty at 3Crow Bar. www.touringcareerworkshop.com.
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Sarah Zimermann and Justin Davis of Striking Matches were invited to become honorary “Friends and Family” members of the Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum. Striking Matches recently released a self-titled debut EP, recorded with Grammy winning producer Luke Wooten. The duo will have a song featured on the ABC series "Nashville" in coming weeks. Pictured back row (L-R): Pamela Johnson (Vice President, Development), Mike Sistad (ASCAP), Kyle Young (Museum Director), John Grady (Crush Management and CMHoF Board Member), Cyndi Forman (Universal Music Publishing Group), Andrew Cohen (Crush Management), Marc Rucker (Crush Management), Jay Orr (Vice President, Museum Programs). Seated: Sarah Zimermann and Justin Davis
DISClaimer Single Reviews (11/07/12)
/by Robert K OermannToby Keith, Phoenix Stone
What a sonic harvest we have this week.
Good luck, radio programmers. You’re going to have to make room for a heaping helping of new sounds. The Zac Brown Band has the most beautifully produced single of the week. The Band Perry has the most refreshingly original sound. Amy Rose turns in the finest vocal performance. Kelly Clarkson has the coolest groove. And Tim McGraw is playing at the top of his game. All of these folks deserve massive airplay.
For the Disc of the Day, I am going with the masterful new effort by Toby Keith. He’s playing the part of a bartender with a big shoulder to cry on in “Hope on the Rocks.” And he makes you believe every word of it.
Like Toby, Phoenix Stone writes and produces his own single, as well as singing it well. So he’s taking home this week’s DisCovery Award.
PHOENIX STONE/100 Proof Moonshine
Writer: Phoenix Stone; Producer: Phoenix Stone; Publisher: Stonelib, ASCAP; Stonehall (www.phoenixstoneofficial.com)
—Very nicely produced, with a crashing drum sound, banjo grace notes, a ringing electric guitar and some hearty shouting chorus boys. Stone sings with southern gusto, and the song has loads of memorable hooks. Play it.
TIM McGRAW/One of Those Nights
Writer: Luke Laird/Rodney Clawson/Chris Tompkins; Producer: Byron Gallimore & Tim McGraw; Publisher: Universal-Careers/Big Red Toe/Amarillo Sky/Big Loud Bucks/Big Loud Songs/Angel River, BMI/ASCAP; Big Machine
—The sound of young love. He and his babe head for the party, dance to a slow tune and get it on later. The whole thing is wrapped up in echoey, wistful nostalgia. Superbly listenable.
LOVE AND THEFT/Runnin’ Out of Air
Writer: Matt Jenkins/Shane McAnally/Josh Osborne; Producer: Josh Leo; Publisher: Songs of Bims/Kobalt/Crazy Water/Little Blue Egg/Want a Fresh One/Black River, ASCAP; RCA (track)
—It has a glossy-pop sound, a galloping beat and rich vocal harmonies. It’s not exactly my cup of tea, but there’s no denying the polished craftsmanship at work here.
TOBY KEITH/Hope on the Rocks
Writer: Toby Keith; Producer: Toby Keith; Publisher: Tokeco, BMI; Show Dog Universal (track)
—Forget what I implied last week. I still do dearly love “Cold Beer Country,” and the label did send it out as a tune to be listened to, but it is NOT the new single. This is. It is the moody, meditative title tune of Toby’s album. The disillusioned and downtrodden find their way into the bartender’s establishment to drown their sorrows. It is superbly written, and he sings the fire out of it. This man is a hoss.
KELLY CLARKSON & VINCE GILL/Don’t Rush
Writer: Blu Sanders/Natalie Hemby/Lindsay Dawn Chapman; Producer: Dann Huff; Publisher: Tiltawhirl/Carnival/Lindsay Dawn Chapman, BMI/ASCAP; 19/RCA
—With Vince supplying heavenly harmony, Kelly sways through this groove-a-minute tune with an old-school R&B vibe. Wonderfully rhythmic.
AMY ROSE/I Just Want You to Know
Writer: Gottwald/Sandberg; Producer: After Tuesday Productions; Publisher: Kasz Money/Universal, ASCAP; Wild Rose (www.amyrosemusic.com)
—This was a 2006 hit for The Backstreet Boys, and her version doesn’t countrify the song all that much. That said, her sultry, range-y singing voice is beyond excellent.
THE BAND PERRY /Better Dig Two
Writer: Brandy Clark/Shane McAnally/Trevor Rosen; Producer: Dann Huff; Publisher: Tunes of Bigger Picture/Vista Loma/Songs of Bigger Picture/Crazy Water/Little Blue Egg/Kobalt/ReHits/Unfair Entertainment, ASCAP; Republic Nashville
—Very cool. The crisp little banjo licks, thumpy percussion and sonic crashes give it a super dramatic sound. The dark, threatening lyric and the energetic vocals are pluses as well. Innovative and ear catching.
ZAC BROWN BAND/Goodbye in Her Eyes
Writer: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; RPM Entertainment (ERG)
—When they hit those chorus harmonies, I rose right out of my chair. Man, these guys can sing. This is one thrilling, gorgeous and deliciously melodic little record.
SMOKEY RIVER BOYS/All Pure Country
Writer: Robert Metzger; Producer: Robert Metzger; Publisher: Aim High/Universal, ASCAP; Platinum Plus (CDX) (www.smokeyriverboys.com)
—As you might guess from the title, this a for-real hillbilly-cornball outing. Country with a capital “K.”
JOSIE BRANDON/Crazy Week
Writer: Josie Brandon; Producer: Ian Spanic & Josie Brandon; Publisher: Josie Brandon, ASCAP; Tiger (CDX) (www.josiebrandonmusic.com)
—The song won’t win any contest prizes, that’s for sure. She sings it as loud as she can, but there’s no getting around its lameness.
Lady A Teams Up With the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
/by Caitlin RantalaAll three band members, Hillary Scott, Charles Kelley, and Dave Haywood, have a strong connection to the LLS mission, each with a family member diagnosed with cancer in the past two years. In the new PSA, Scott talks openly about losing her grandfather to acute myeloid leukemia and his influence on the group.
“Like most people, cancer has touched someone close to each of us recently,” said Haywood. “So, it’s something that’s important to us and we’re proud to support The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s efforts to raise funds for cancer research.”
The PSA campaign, directed by filmmaker Jesse Dylan, is being distributed nationally on broadcast and in print.
CMHoF Spotlights Dottie West
/by Eric T. ParkerDottie West
The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum will unveil a special spotlight exhibit dedicated to Dottie West this Friday (11/9), which will be located within the museum’s permanent exhibit on the second floor.
Dottie West: Country Sunshine is scheduled to run through May 2, 2013 and incorporate costumes and relics spanning West’s four-decade career, including a handwritten manuscript for a song she wrote in seventh grade and a red-and-white gingham dress sewn by West’s mother, circa 1950.
West’s signature style is showcased in a collection of Bob Mackie-designed costumes, including the yellow ensemble worn during West’s 1977 performance for President Jimmy Carter and First Lady Rosalynn Carter and a creation worn by actress Michele Lee for her portrayal of the West in the 1995 CBS-TV movie Big Dreams and Broken Hearts: The Dottie West Story.
West was signed to a record deal by RCA’s Chet Atkins in the mid-60s, who produced her self-penned “Here Comes My Baby.” The song earned her a Grammy for Best Country & Western Performance (Female) marking the first time a woman in Country was awarded a Grammy.
While en route to a 1991 Opry performance, West sustained serious injuries in an automobile accident, ultimately passing on September 4, 1991. She was 58.
The Hall of Fame is currently running Spotlight exhibits for Jack Greene, Minnie Pearl and 2012 Hall of Fame inductees Garth Brooks, Hargus “Pig” Robbins and Connie Smith.