It’s October and the temperature is falling, but Florida Georgia Line’s “Cruise” remains a sunny island of summer warmth on country radio. Considering the song was recently certified Gold for over 500k downloads and the duo has now been added to CMT On Tour: Jake Owen, this particular island should stay hot through the even the coldest days of winter.
Amazingly, this has all happened in advance of hitting critical mass on the monitored airplay country charts. How, you ask? Through a combination of aggressive touring and grassroots fan building in secondary/small radio markets. And of course, having a killer song is pretty critical as well.
For the uninitiated, Florida Georgia Line (FGL) is Tyler Hubbard and Brian Kelley, who (you might have guessed) hail from Florida (Kelley) and Georgia (Hubbard). The pair met while studying at Belmont University and began writing songs together, playing local clubs when they could.
Kelley had been working on “Cruise” with his friends, Chase Rice and Jesse Rice (no relation), when he took a demo version to Hubbard and producer Joey Moi. The ensemble finished the tune and with Moi’s experienced hand guiding the recording, a hit-in-waiting was born.
“It was one of those songs that just happened—and we’re glad it did,” says FGL’s Kelley. “We knew we had something we loved but could never imagined it would be something like this.”
At the time, FGL was essentially operating as an independent through Big Loud Mountain, a partnership between Craig Wiseman’s Big Loud Shirt publishing enclave, manager Kevin “Chief” Zaruk, and Moi. Not having the major entertainment finances behind FGL meant the typical high dollar radio promotion push wasn’t in the cards, at least in the beginning. FGL’s day to day manager Seth England felt building from the ground up would be the right approach, citing as justification the massive costs and unrealistic expectations created by treating brand new artists like superstars.
“The problem with that is it leaves little room for natural growth with fans,” explains England.
The duo had already begun building a fan base through their busy touring schedule and wanted to continue the work they had started. That included visiting friends in radio and refining their stage performances.
“They wouldn’t take no for an answer,” recalls England. “We recognized that secondary radio was the perfect place to begin since we were independent. We made it a very serious focus and followed up in many markets with club shows, and treated those stations just like we treat major markets now. It was really intriguing what can be built in some of these secondary markets. In a way, we had some of these major markets surrounded with radio support, and hardcore fans, before we ever approached them with Republic Nashville.”
Helping to surround those markets with secondary airplay were veteran promotion representatives Rick Kelly, of Marco Promotions, and Jerry Duncan, of Jerry Duncan Promotions. Kelly says he and Duncan heard the music in demo form before its official release, and were immediately excited about the project. “They already seemed like a fully formed act,” says Kelly.
“I distinctly remember thinking they were an independent act with all the key ingredients: great songs, great singers, hard working, good looking, personable, and already touring,” adds Duncan. “All they needed was radio support.”
Kelly and Duncan sent the music out, and the early feedback from radio was very encouraging, with support from WXMM/Appleton, WI; SiriusXM; KBXB/Sikeston, MO; and more. FGL was also added to the lineup on the popular summer Country Throwdown Tour with Gary Allan, Rodney Atkins, and others.
“We did as many radio visits as we could possibly squeeze in during the Throwdown tour, and were able to impact a good cohort of stations in tour markets, and in transit to other dates,” says Kelly. “The song was really reactive for our stations. It was during this time that SiriusXM came on and started really supporting the record, which seemed to move the needle considerably.”
Touring has been the other critical component of the FGL success story. England and the Big Loud Mountain team approached Buddy Lee’s Kevin Neal, who helped build Jason Aldean’s career as well as that of touring warrior Colt Ford. FGL, England figured, had a lot in common with these artists.
“We felt like they had obvious commercial appeal but had an edge that these small clubs would eat up early on,” says England.
Thankfully, touring isn’t a chore for the duo, who love to be on the road and in front of enthusiastic crowds. “We get to make new friends, see new places and watch the effect music can have on people,” says FGL’s Kelley. “We also have a real brotherhood within our band and that makes it a blast.”
Wisely, FGL’s team recognized the importance of giving concert-going fans an opportunity to purchase the duo’s music at live dates. FGL released its debut EP, It’z Just What We Do, in May and had it ready to roll for the summer concert season.
“We wanted to have more music out than just ‘Cruise,’” notes England. “That can be a bit of a misstep with new artists just getting a record deal. You’ll see artists release a single and not have any physical music for fans to buy live.”
In July, FGL signed with Big Machine Label Group’s Republic Nashville. The label immediately ramped up the promotion efforts for “Cruise,” which had already sold 100,000 downloads independently.
“By the time the record hit major market radio in August, we were on about 80% of MusicRow stations, with about 14,000 spins to date on the single at that panel, and about 116,000 singles sold,” says Marco’s Rick Kelly.
“I’m not sure the Republic Nashville staff sleeps,” adds England. “They have jumped on board with our vision, didn’t ask to change a thing – they just wanted to blow it up, and they have. Scott Borchetta and Jimmy Harnen have surrounded themselves with an incredible staff who deeply care about their artists.”
Blowing it up is exactly what is going on. Sales are already impressive, and yet “Cruise” still has some room to grow on the charts, considering it is only No. 12 on Billboard’s Country Airplay chart and No. 6 on the MusicRow Chart.
Beyond that, Republic Nashville will release the duo’s debut album Here’s to the Good Times just in time for the holidays on Dec. 4. Beginning in 2013, FGL will be opening Luke Bryan’s headlining Dirt Road Diaries Tour.
It’s a crazy moment in time for the guys, but for FGL’s Kelley, it’s exactly what he wants. “Needless to say, our lives are a whirlwind right now, and we love it!”
Florida Georgia Line Reaches “Cruising” Altitude
/by FreemanAmazingly, this has all happened in advance of hitting critical mass on the monitored airplay country charts. How, you ask? Through a combination of aggressive touring and grassroots fan building in secondary/small radio markets. And of course, having a killer song is pretty critical as well.
For the uninitiated, Florida Georgia Line (FGL) is Tyler Hubbard and Brian Kelley, who (you might have guessed) hail from Florida (Kelley) and Georgia (Hubbard). The pair met while studying at Belmont University and began writing songs together, playing local clubs when they could.
Kelley had been working on “Cruise” with his friends, Chase Rice and Jesse Rice (no relation), when he took a demo version to Hubbard and producer Joey Moi. The ensemble finished the tune and with Moi’s experienced hand guiding the recording, a hit-in-waiting was born.
“It was one of those songs that just happened—and we’re glad it did,” says FGL’s Kelley. “We knew we had something we loved but could never imagined it would be something like this.”
At the time, FGL was essentially operating as an independent through Big Loud Mountain, a partnership between Craig Wiseman’s Big Loud Shirt publishing enclave, manager Kevin “Chief” Zaruk, and Moi. Not having the major entertainment finances behind FGL meant the typical high dollar radio promotion push wasn’t in the cards, at least in the beginning. FGL’s day to day manager Seth England felt building from the ground up would be the right approach, citing as justification the massive costs and unrealistic expectations created by treating brand new artists like superstars.
“The problem with that is it leaves little room for natural growth with fans,” explains England.
The duo had already begun building a fan base through their busy touring schedule and wanted to continue the work they had started. That included visiting friends in radio and refining their stage performances.
“They wouldn’t take no for an answer,” recalls England. “We recognized that secondary radio was the perfect place to begin since we were independent. We made it a very serious focus and followed up in many markets with club shows, and treated those stations just like we treat major markets now. It was really intriguing what can be built in some of these secondary markets. In a way, we had some of these major markets surrounded with radio support, and hardcore fans, before we ever approached them with Republic Nashville.”
Helping to surround those markets with secondary airplay were veteran promotion representatives Rick Kelly, of Marco Promotions, and Jerry Duncan, of Jerry Duncan Promotions. Kelly says he and Duncan heard the music in demo form before its official release, and were immediately excited about the project. “They already seemed like a fully formed act,” says Kelly.
“I distinctly remember thinking they were an independent act with all the key ingredients: great songs, great singers, hard working, good looking, personable, and already touring,” adds Duncan. “All they needed was radio support.”
Kelly and Duncan sent the music out, and the early feedback from radio was very encouraging, with support from WXMM/Appleton, WI; SiriusXM; KBXB/Sikeston, MO; and more. FGL was also added to the lineup on the popular summer Country Throwdown Tour with Gary Allan, Rodney Atkins, and others.
“We did as many radio visits as we could possibly squeeze in during the Throwdown tour, and were able to impact a good cohort of stations in tour markets, and in transit to other dates,” says Kelly. “The song was really reactive for our stations. It was during this time that SiriusXM came on and started really supporting the record, which seemed to move the needle considerably.”
Touring has been the other critical component of the FGL success story. England and the Big Loud Mountain team approached Buddy Lee’s Kevin Neal, who helped build Jason Aldean’s career as well as that of touring warrior Colt Ford. FGL, England figured, had a lot in common with these artists.
“We felt like they had obvious commercial appeal but had an edge that these small clubs would eat up early on,” says England.
Thankfully, touring isn’t a chore for the duo, who love to be on the road and in front of enthusiastic crowds. “We get to make new friends, see new places and watch the effect music can have on people,” says FGL’s Kelley. “We also have a real brotherhood within our band and that makes it a blast.”
Wisely, FGL’s team recognized the importance of giving concert-going fans an opportunity to purchase the duo’s music at live dates. FGL released its debut EP, It’z Just What We Do, in May and had it ready to roll for the summer concert season.
“We wanted to have more music out than just ‘Cruise,’” notes England. “That can be a bit of a misstep with new artists just getting a record deal. You’ll see artists release a single and not have any physical music for fans to buy live.”
In July, FGL signed with Big Machine Label Group’s Republic Nashville. The label immediately ramped up the promotion efforts for “Cruise,” which had already sold 100,000 downloads independently.
“By the time the record hit major market radio in August, we were on about 80% of MusicRow stations, with about 14,000 spins to date on the single at that panel, and about 116,000 singles sold,” says Marco’s Rick Kelly.
“I’m not sure the Republic Nashville staff sleeps,” adds England. “They have jumped on board with our vision, didn’t ask to change a thing – they just wanted to blow it up, and they have. Scott Borchetta and Jimmy Harnen have surrounded themselves with an incredible staff who deeply care about their artists.”
Blowing it up is exactly what is going on. Sales are already impressive, and yet “Cruise” still has some room to grow on the charts, considering it is only No. 12 on Billboard’s Country Airplay chart and No. 6 on the MusicRow Chart.
Beyond that, Republic Nashville will release the duo’s debut album Here’s to the Good Times just in time for the holidays on Dec. 4. Beginning in 2013, FGL will be opening Luke Bryan’s headlining Dirt Road Diaries Tour.
It’s a crazy moment in time for the guys, but for FGL’s Kelley, it’s exactly what he wants. “Needless to say, our lives are a whirlwind right now, and we love it!”
MusicRowPics: Lucas Hoge Artist Visit
/by Caitlin RantalaLucas Hoge visited MusicRow headquarters last week (10/16). Hoge, who is promoting his self-titled new album, played several songs, including his single “Do What makes You Feel Good.” The song is currently no. 54 on MusicRow’s CountryBreakout Chart. He also shared “Should’ve Loved Her More,” a song that looks back on a failed marriage, and “Who’s Gonna Be There.”
Hoge hosts Animal Planet’s Last Chance Highway, a show that follows adopted dogs on their journey from the pound to their new homes. The show’s theme song was written by Hoge about one of the show’s rescued dogs.
For more information visit www.lucashoge.com.
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Brian D’Arcy Presented With CMA International Broadcaster Award
/by FreemanCMA Director of International Relations Bobbi Boyce (left) presents Brian D'Arcy with the CMA International Country Broadcaster Award.
Veteran Northern Ireland-based broadcaster and journalist Brian D’Arcy was presented with the CMA International Broadcaster Award during a recent visit to London. CMA Director of International Relations Bobbi Boyce made the presentation.
D’Arcy hosts a weekly show on BBC Radio Ulster and is also a frequent contributor to RTE Radio. Also known through Ireland as a priest, D’Arcy hosted a weekly inspirational show on BBC Radio 2 until recently.
A longtime supporter of Country music, D’Arcy has covered the CMA Awards every year since 1972. He has been writing professionally about Country music since 1967, and has authored 14 books, served as a newspaper columnist, and more.
“I was not just surprised but truly shocked to receive this prestigious Award,” said D’Arcy. “It is the most rewarding recognition I’ve had or will have, as a broadcaster. I’ve devoted my broadcasting career to the promotion of good Country Music because I believe in Country Music and its people. The Award will have place of pride in my life. I’m sincerely grateful to all who brought this about.”
Nokia Music Sets Sights on Nashville
/by Eric T. ParkerPictured (L-R): Theo Gupta/Nokia, Anthony Montenegro/Nokia, Henrik Bowadt/Nokia, Lila Gerson/Billboard, Maggi Demko/MAC Presents, George Couri/Triple 8 Management, Marcie Allen/Mac Presents, Mike Eli, Ray Waddell/Billboard, Chris Thompson, Elizabeth Mitchell/Nokia, Jon Jones, James Young
Nokia hosted a luncheon in the Rotunda at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum Friday afternoon (10/19) celebrating the launch of Nokia Music, a mobile streaming service exclusive on Nokia Lumia 900 and 710 handsets.
Currently available through AT&T, Nokia Music offers unlimited ad-free music on over 150 multi-genre playlists maintained by “expert US based musicologists” and artists themselves including Eli Young Band, Rihanna, Lady Gaga, and Lana Del Ray, among others.
“Listeners also have the opportunity to scan personal music collections to build channels with similar and familiar tracks as well as recommendations,” said Anthony Montenegro, Nokia Music, Head of Americas. “You can cache up to four channels on the phone itself for offline listening.”
With a catalog of over 16 million tracks, the advertisement-free service requires no registration or subscription.
Friday’s event featured an acoustic set by Eli Young Band and was hosted by Billboard’s Ray Waddell. Nokia presented a $10,000 check to Musicians On Call, which is celebrating 5 years of service in Middle Tennessee.
“The support from Nokia Music will allow us to keep providing live and recorded music to the bedsides of patients in the healthcare facilities in Nashville,” said Scott Welch, Chairman of the Board at Musicians On Call. “We look forward to continuing collaborations with them.”
Consumers who already own the specific Lumia devices can download the Nokia Music app from Marketplace.
Bluegrass Pioneer Passes Away
/by Robert K OermannConnie Gately
Bluegrass headliner Connie Gately was laid to rest in Hermitage Memorial Gardens over the weekend.
The lead singer, guitarist and songwriter of Connie & Babe and The Backwoods Boys died on Monday, October 15. He was 83 years old. The International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) has identified Gately as a “bluegrass pioneer” and selected him for its oral-history program.
Born in St. Louis in 1929, he grew up in Middle Tennessee. Gately attended university at Lipscomb, Memphis State and Peabody, earning a masters degree while playing college baseball.
He formed The Backwoods Boys with guitarist/singer Babe Lofton (1929-1993) around 1952, when it debuted on disc on the Nashville independent label Republic Records. The core of the group also included banjo player Joe Drumright.
Gately and Drumwright served a brief stint as members of Bill Monroe’s Blue Grass Boys band in the late 1950s, but maintained their membership in Connie & Babe as well. Gately’s group recorded extensively for Starday Records in the late 1950s.
All of the Backwoods Boys also had careers outside of music. Writer Walt Saunders has speculated that this might be a reason why the group was able to survive for more than 40 years. Gately was in management at Aladdin Industries in Nashville for more than three decades.
Following a long hiatus from the studio, Connie & Babe and The Backwoods Boys resumed recording in 1992. Rounder Records issued the group’s comeback CD, Down the Road to Home, in 1995.
Among the band’s noteworthy performances were “Toil, Tears and Trouble,” “Home Is Where the Heart Is,” “Lonely Years,” “How Will the Flowers Bloom,” “Roll On Blues” and “Grave on the Rolling Hillside.” All of these were composed by Gately. His “Home Is Where the Heart Is” was later recorded by Jerry Garcia and David Grisman.
Gately’s son Fred Gately and Drumwright’s son Jody Drumwright have reportedly continued the group as Sons of the Backwoods.
Connie Gately is survived by his wife Bernita, son Fred and daughters Connie and Carol, as well as grandchildren, great grandchildren, step-children and step-grandchildren. Services at the Hermitage Funeral Home and the burial were held on Saturday, October 20.
Katie Couric Special Features the Women of Country Music
/by Eric T. Parker“All Access Nashville with Katie Couric” will feature additional appearances from Luke Bryan, Martina McBride, Jason Aldean and others who will contribute to the conversation about great female Country singers.
The one-hour special airs at 9 pm/ET. Watch a video preview of the show below.
Brittany Perlin Joins Dashboard Media
/by MichellePhoto: Chris Mastalia
Dashboard Media has announced the addition of Brittany Perlin in the role of Associate Publicist. Dashboard Media was officially launched in Oct. 2011 by publicist Natalie Kilgore.
“Brittany’s work ethic, passion for music and zest for life perfectly embodies the spirit of Dashboard Media and its artists,” says Natalie Kilgore, President of Dashboard Media. “She brings a wealth of knowledge, experience and a unique perspective to the team coupled with a natural instinct and drive that can’t be taught. She’s the perfect yin to my yang and to say I’m ‘over the moon’ to welcome her to the Dashboard Media team would be a vast understatement.”
Most recently the music booker at The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson in Los Angeles, Perlin began her career as an intern at Cosmopolitan magazine in Santa Monica, CA, where she served for a full year while completing her degree at California State University–Dominguez Hills.
Perlin’s new role is effective immediately. Reach her at Brittany.Perlin@dashboardmedia.biz .
Little Big Town’s “Tornado” Storms Country Sales
/by Caitlin RantalaThe vocal group is set to perform on Live! With Kelly And Michael on Oct. 24 and on ABC’s Dancing With The Stars on Oct. 29. As previously announced, the band will also perform on the 46th Annual CMA Awards on Nov. 1, where they are nominated for three awards – Vocal Group Of The Year, Single Of The Year and Video Of The Year for “Pontoon.”
For more information, visit www.littlebigtown.com.
Songwriter Ryan Beaver Inks With HoriPro
/by MichelleRyan Beaver has entered into an exclusive publishing agreement with HoriPro Entertainment Group, Inc. The Austin-based artist has been busy touring the South to promote his two independently released albums, Under the Neons and the most recent Constant.
“Ryan is the best artist/writer I have seen in years. It was a no-brainer for us to want to be involved with him,” says HoriPro’s Butch Baker. “Nobody sings like him, and he is a great young songwriter that completely gets it. He’ll be singing and writing for a long, long time.”
This is Beaver’s first publishing deal. “I’m glad to be part of such a great team and I’m looking forward to our future accomplishments together.”
(L-R): Bradley Collins (BMI), Butch Baker (HoriPro), Ryan Beaver, Jonathan Motley (Safford Motley PLC), Laura McKinley (Clover Management), Lee Krabel (HoriPro), Tim Stehli (HoriPro), and Clay Bradley (BMI)
Florida Georgia Line Plans Debut Album
/by FreemanTitled Here’s to the Good Times, the album hits stores Dec. 4 and contains “Cruise” as well as 10 other tracks including “Get Your Shine On,” “It’z Just What We Do,” and “Tip It Back.” Full track listing is included below. In addition, the duo will be touring with Luke Bryan’s Dirt Road Diaries Tour in 2013.
“Releasing our debut album is a dream come true! We can’t wait to share our lives through music with our amazing fans,” said FGL’s Brian Kelley.
FGL’s Tyler Hubbard added, “There truly is something for everyone on this album and we could not be more proud of it!”
Check back to musicrow.com on Monday (10/22) for a look at the story behind FGL’s rapid rise.
Here’s to the Good Times track listing:
1. Cruise (Tyler Hubbard, Brian Kelley, Joey Moi, Chase Rice, Jesse Rice)
2. Round Here (Rodney Clawson, Chris Tompkins, Thomas Rhett)
3. Get Your Shine On (Tyler Hubbard, Brian Kelley, Rodney Clawson, Chris Tompkins)
4. Here’s To The Good Times (Rodney Clawson, Chris Tompkins, Lynn Hutton)
5. It’z Just What We Do (Tyler Hubbard, Brian Kelley, Rodney Clawson)
6. Stay (Joey Moi, John Fred Young, Chris Robertson, Jon Lawhon, Ben Wells)
7. Hell Raisin’ Heat Of The Summer (Rodney Clawson, Chris Tompkins, Craig Wiseman)
8. Tell Me How You Like It (Tyler Hubbard, Brian Kelley, Chris Tompkins)
9. Tip it Back (Tyler Hubbard, Brian Kelley, Rodney Clawson)
10. Damn, Baby (Tyler Hubbard, Brian Kelley, Rodney Clawson, David Lee Murphy)
11. Party People (Luke Laird, Shane McAnally, J.T. Harding)
(L-R): Front Row – Florida Georgia Line’s Tyler Hubbard (Georgia) and Brian Kelley (Florida); Back Row – Country Music Hall of Fame’s Sharon Burns (Vice President, Sales and Marketing); Kyle Young (Museum Director); Rachel Weingartner (Membership Manager) and Jay Orr (Vice President, Museum Programs) Photo Courtesy of Country Music Hall of Fame