Joanna Smith Shoots Video; Blue Sky Riders At Franklin Theatre

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(L-R): Director Ry Cox and Joanna Smith

RCA Records artist Joanna Smith spent a rainy Friday in scenic downtown Franklin, Tenn. recently shooting a music video for her debut RCA single “We Can’t Be Friends,” from her Be What It Wants To Be EP. The clip follows Smith as she runs into her old flame and deals with the heartache of knowing it’s time to move on. Directed by Ry Cox and produced by April Dace for Revolution Pictures, the video will hit airwaves next month.

• • •

Blue Sky Riders

Blue Sky Riders (Kenny Loggins, Georgia Middleman and Gary Burr) will perform a two-night stand near Nashville at the Franklin Theatre on Nov. 16 and 17. The shows will benefit NSAI. Tickets here.

For local fans who can’t wait until next month, BSR will livestream a performance from Santa Barbara, CA on Thurs., Oct. 18 at 5 PM PST. The concert can be viewed on Stageit.com or via the Blue Sky Riders Facebook page. The trio will perform songs from its upcoming album, Finally Home, which is scheduled for release Jan. 22, 2013.

Select singles from the album are available on iTunes along with the Live At The Rutledge EP. Blue Sky Riders recently completed a 14-city national tour, including a five night residency in New York.

On The Cover: Brad Paisley (Oct./Nov. 2012)

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Brad Paisley is a consummate singer, songwriter, guitarist and entertainer, which has earned him three GRAMMYs, 14 Academy of Country Music Awards and 14 Country Music Association Awards including Entertainer of the Year for 2010. He has placed 20 singles at the top of the charts, the latest a duet with Carrie Underwood, “Remind Me.” Paisley’s current album, This Is Country Music, debuted at No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Country Albums chart and is his sixth consecutive studio album to debut as the nation’s country best-seller. He released his first book, Diary of a Player, in 2011 and was on the New York Times Best Seller list for two weeks.

Artist Name: Brad Paisley
Label: Arista Nashville
Current Album: New album “yet to be titled” due out April 9
Current Single: “Southern Comfort Zone,” written by Paisley, Chris DuBois and Kelley Lovelace
Hometown: Glen Dale, West Virginia
Management: Bill Simmons, Fitzgerald-Hartley
Booking: William Morris Endeavor
Recent Hits: With 20 No. 1 singles to his credit, Brad’s most recent hits are “Remind Me” duet with Carrie Underwood, “Old Alabama” and “This Is Country Music.”
Awards: 14 CMA Awards (including 2010 Entertainer of the Year), 14 ACM Awards (including 5 consecutive Male Vocalist of the Year) and 3 Grammys.
RIAA certs to date: With career sales over 12 million albums worldwide, Brad’s double-Platinum certifications include Time Well Wasted and Mud On The Tires.
Touring: Brad is currently headlining his Virtual Reality World Tour with special guests The Band Perry and Scotty McCreery.
Special TV/Film Appearances: For the fifth consecutive year, Brad will co-host the The 46th Annual CMA Awards on November 1 on ABC with label mate Carrie Underwood.
Birthday: October 28

Average Joe’s Hires New Publicist

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Kristin Palmer

Average Joe’s Entertainment has hired publicist Kristin Palmer to handle publicity and artist development for the company. Palmer replaces Karen Tallier, who exited the post on October 5th.

“I couldn’t be happier that Kristin accepted the challenge and is joining the Average Joe’s team,” says Tony Morreale, VP of Marketing and Promotion at Average Joe’s Entertainment. “Her background and experience in the corporate and independent music world made her a natural for us.”

Palmer has over 7 years of experience in the music business, most recently running her own, Palmer House Publicity.

Congratulate her by email, or reach the publicity office at 615-733-9983.

Average Joe’s houses three labels, a management company, a publishing entity and a film and TV production company. Artists include Colt Ford, Montgomery Gentry, Matt Stillwell, JB and the Moonshine Band, Rehab, The Lacs, Gabe Garcia, Lenny Cooper, Bubba Sparxxx, The Mud Digger Series and Redneck Social Club.

Snapshots: Rucker, Hayes, and SOLID

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Darius Rucker Joins The Opry
Darius Rucker was formally inducted into the Grand Ole Opry last night (10/16) by Opry member Vince Gill. A tearful Rucker and the audience watched a clip on the Opry’s barn screen of fellow member Keith Urban sending his congratulations “from Las Vegas,” but the star then surprised them by appearing onstage. Rucker’s family and friends, including Pro Football Hall of Famer Dan Marino, also joined him.

(L-R): Pete Fisher, Grand Ole Opry VP and General Manager; Vince Gill; Darius Rucker; Dan Marino; Steve Buchanan, Grand Ole Opry President. Photo: Chris Hollo

Hunter Hayes Plays Staples Center
Hunter Hayes performed at the LA Staples Center last night (10/16) as party of Carrie Underwood’s tour. iTunes released the EP Hunter Hayes: Live yesterday, and his single “Wanted” is nearing double Platinum status. Catch him on Ellen Oct. 22.

Celebrating backstage (L-R): Rob Light, CAA Managing Partner; Hunter Hayes; Randy Phillips, Pres. & CEO AEG Live; Darin Murphy, CAA Nashville; Larry Vallon, SVP AEG; and Marc Friedenberg, AEG VP

SOLID Elects Officers
SOLID elected its 2013 officers recently. The new leadership team is pictured below. SOLID is also accepting new member applications through Oct. 31, details at www.solidnashville.com.

Pictured (L-R): Brian O'Neil, CAA, 2013 SOLID Vice President; Sarah McGrady, CMA, 2013 SOLID President; Kate Dore, Outback Concerts, 2013 SOLID Secretary; and Michelle Tigard Kammerer, CRB, 2013 SOLID Treasurer

ACM Announces 2012-2013 Board and Officers

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The Academy of Country Music has announced its new Officers and Board of Directors for the 2012-2013 term. Newly elected ACM officers include:

Chairman of the Board – Butch Waugh
President – Ken Robold
VP – Darin Murphy, CAA
Treasurer – Duane Clark, FBMM
Parliamentarian – Paul Moore, WME
Secretary – Tiffany Moon, ACM

There are 13 professional categories of Board members elected by Academy membership. In addition, Director-at-large positions have been appointed by Waugh, Robold, and Murphy. Each director serves staggered two-year terms, with half the board membership changing each year. Newly elected and appointed Board members appear below.

“I’m thrilled to work with so many dedicated industry leaders who have invested their time and shown a true commitment to hands-on involvement with the Academy,” said Waugh.

CATEGORY — ELECTED BOARD MEMBER(S)
Affiliated — Buddy Cannon, Cannon Productions; Tim DuBois, Artist Management Partners; Neal Spielberg, Spielberg Entertainment & Consulting

Artist/Entertainer/MBI* — Luke Bryan

Club/Casino/Venue Operator — Jerry Hufford, Buck Owens’ Enterprises

Composer — Don Schlitz

Manager — Kerri Edwards, KP Entertainment/Red Light Management; Marion Kraft, ShopKeeper Management; Clarence Spalding, Spalding Entertainment

Media/PR* — Mary Hilliard Harrington, The GreenRoom

Music Publisher/PRO — Frank Liddell, Carnival Music

On-Air Personality — Bob Kingsley, “Bob Kingsley’s Country Top 40”

Radio — Charlie Cook, McVay/Cook & Associates

Record Company — Mike Dungan, Universal Music Group

Talent Agent — Greg Oswald, WME

Talent Buyer/Promoter — Brad Garrett, Police Productions

TV/Motion Picture — Sherman Halsey, Halsey Productions

DIRECTORS AT LARGE
Clay Bradley, BMI
George Couri, Triple 8 Management
Mike Culotta, WQYK/WYUU
Dallas Davidson
Chris Farren, Combustion Music
Leslie Fram, CMT
Mike Kraski, Tenacity Management
Jon Loba, BBR Music Group
Ebie McFarland*, Essential Broadcast Media
Dan Mason, CBS Radio
Curt Motley, Paradigm Agency
Brian O’Connell, Live Nation
Glenn Peoples, Billboard
Kimberly Schlapman*
Butch Spyridon, Nashville Convention & Visitors Bureau
Ken Tucker

*Denotes tie in the categories of Artist/Entertainer/MBI and Media/PR, wherein one of candidates is listed as elected and the other is listed as appointed. The latter were appointed as a Director at Large following the tie.

“CMA Country Christmas” Spreads Holiday Cheer

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Pictured (L-R): Bethni Hemphill (Generosity), Robert Deaton, Jennifer Nettles, and Steve Moore.

Holiday television special CMA Country Christmas will tape its 2012 edition on Saturday, Nov. 3 in front of a live audience at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville. Performers confirmed for the special include Dierks Bentley, Colbie Caillat, Katherine Jenkins, Lady Antebellum, John Legend, Little Big Town, Martina McBride, Scotty McCreery, Jennifer Nettles, The Band Perry, and Keith Urban.

For the third year, Nettles will host the ABC special, which will air later in 2012. The event also marks the first time audience members are being encouraged to bring a new, unwrapped toy to donate to Nashville area homeless and needy children. Nashville-based organization, Generosity, will collect the drop offs in front of the Arena beginning at 1 pm to be distributed on Christmas night during a special Bridge Ministry service.

“Our artists are extremely generous and so are our fans,” said Steve Moore, CMA Chief Executive Officer. “It is our goal to make sure no child goes without a present this Christmas and we are grateful to our partners at Generosity for helping to make this a dream come true for children in Nashville.”

Tickets for CMA Country Christmas are $50 for Club Level and $100 for Lower Level at Ticketmaster outlets or in person at the Bridgestone Arena Box Office. Tickets are not required to make donations.

CMA Country Christmas is a production of the CMA. Robert Deaton is the executive producer, Paul Miller is the director, and David Wild is the writer.

Weekly Register: Swift Launch Delivers Non-Traditional Locations

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Weekly Register TV Script

Host sings exuberantly: “Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way…oh what fun for country sales, the season’s underway…!! OH…”

[Camera goes wide]

TV Host: Welcome everyone. Why am I in a festive mood? Well, because the two biggest country albums of the season are finally going on sale—Jason Aldean’s Night Train, which hit shelves 10/16 and Taylor Swift’s Red which debuts 10/22. So fasten your seat belts because we have both artists live in our Weekly Register studio. Hey Jason, hey Taylor… s’up guys?
……

OK. This is print, not video. But I’ve been so inspired by Big Machine’s marketing strategies for the upcoming Swift album that I’m trying to think more grandiose for my own promotions. Planning the launch of an artist like Ms. Swift is daunting. Yes, she gets opportunities that are out of reach for all other country music superstars, but expectations are also much higher. Scott Borchetta, Kelly Rich and the BMLG team have truly stepped up with innovative Red launch ideas. It’s accurate to say this project is writing country music marketing history.

Marketing veteran Neal Spielberg noted the launch is, “Reminiscent of a blockbuster movie release,” and I couldn’t agree more. It also echoes the bold style with which Borchetta has steered the scrappy indie since its birth in 2005. At that time the President/CEO described his primary duties as, “Building a fighter jet for the revolution.”

Why am I gushing? Here’s a few of the numerous tie-ins. Swift’s album will be available to purchase when people order a Papa John’s Pizza. Her face will be on the box. She has her own store on the pizza maker’s web site with a variety of offers and packages. There’s a Red partnership with Keds sneakers and Swift-themed merchandise will be on sale and part of special offers in Walgreens’ 7,944 nationwide locations. Oh and at the end of the month, Swift and Papa John’s will host her own radio remote in Nashville… Then there’s the mag covers, TV appearances and partnerships with retailers such as CoverGirl, Macy’s, American Greetings, Sony electronics and so much more…

But there’s also great No. 1 news ahead for Jason Aldean, who is celebrating his Night Train launch with a week-long series of high profile appearances and a “special surprise” planned for Thursday 10/18.

Interestingly, Jason and Taylor have history together—chart history that is. Swift’s Speak Now was released during the week ending 10/31/10 with 1.05 million units. The next week Aldean’s My Kinda Party splashed with 193k units. Unfortunately for Aldean, Swift’s week 2 sales of 320k units kept him out of the top country chart positions on both the country and Top 200 charts. This time however, the schedules are reversed, giving Aldean an excellent chance to claim No. 1 status on the country chart and possibly the all-genre list as well… (at least for one week)…

By The Numbers
As noted above, the big chart action begins soon, but for now, most lists are calm according to Nielsen SoundScan. Little Big Town’s Tornado earns a fifth consecutive week in the No. 1 position (23k) on the Top 75 Current Country album list and Aaron Watson debuts at No. 9 with about 6k units.

Tracks watchers will be surprised, no doubt, to learn that Swift’s latest track “I Knew You Were Trouble” has apparently been deemed not country. What? (The new track topped the all genre tracks list with almost 416k downloads.) Can anyone understand this? An artist with an upcoming country album who currently has three Top 10 Digital Genre Country tracks this week—not even counting the latest release? Nothing official on this yet, but hopefully SoundScan and/or Billboard will offer an explanation for this unexpected and seemingly miscalculated decision.

[Camera Zoom In For Charismatic Host Close Up]

TV Host: Thanks for tuning into Weekly Register… where we track the hits, measure the sales and analyze the outcomes. See you next week when our special guests will be….

[Fade to commercial]

Snapshots (10/17/2012)

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Little Big Town pictured with Kasey Kahne and a cake replica of his No. 5 Car

On October 10, Little Big Town performed for over 500 VIPs and Time Warner Cable customers at the unveiling of driver Kasey Kahne’s new No. 5 Time Warner Cable Chevrolet racecar.

Ace of Cakes designer, Duff Goldman created a life-size racecar cake (pictured), which was fully equipped with spinning wheels and smoke during the initial reveal at Hendrick Motorsports in Charlotte, NC.

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Niemann and Caillat performing "I'm All About You" in Nashville. Photo: Jon-Paul Photography

Jerrod Niemann performed a sold out show celebrating the release of his Sea Gayle/Arista Nashville sophomore album, titled Free The Music, Oct. 10 at Nashville’s 3rd & Lindsley. Brent Anderson, Tyler Farr, Lee Brice, Jon Stone, and Colbie Caillat shared the stage with Niemann, who performed the album in its entirety.

The performance was the first show of Niemann’s Jägermeister Tour. The album is in stores now.

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Kenny Chesney Celebrates Sammy Hagar’s Birthday

Sammy Hagar’s 65th Birthday Bash week was filled with a star-studded lineup including Kenny Chesney, Jerry Cantrell, Matt Sorum, Michael Anthony, Billy Duffy and Denny Carmassi.

This year, Hagar’s band, The Wabos, played October 7, 9, 11 and 13th, with a last minute addition on the 12th to accommodate Chesney. Chef Emeril Lagasse was on hand to serve up dinner and join on stage to sing back up on “I Can’t Drive 55.”

DISClaimer Single Reviews (10/17/12)

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This week, creativity trumps commerciality.

The folks with the most radio-ready tunes this week include Brantley Gilbert, Love and Theft and Uncle Kracker. But the artist with the single that is truly ground breaking and fresh sounding is Jerrod Niemann. For outstanding creativity and class, give that man a Disc of the Day.

None of the newcomers flipped my lid. So we have no DisCovery Award to present in this edition of “DisClaimer.”

JERROD NIEMANN/Only God Could Love You More
Writer: Jerrod Niemann/Lee Brice/Jon Stone; Producer: Dave Brainard & Jerrod Niemann; Publisher: Writers of Sea Gayle/Ozworth/Words & Music/Mike Curb/Sweet Hysteria/How Bout That Skyline/Songs From Ferry Street/BMG Chrysalis, BMI; Arista/Sea Gayle (track)
—This man is so creative. As if the songwriting wasn’t cool enough, the production is a brain-filling delight, full of tender percussion rumbling, vocal echoes, keyboard droplets and haunting silences. Essential listening.

BOBBY DEAN/You Can’t Drink ‘Em All
Writer: Culpepper/Culpepper/Neil; Producer: Dave Moody; Publisher: Songs from Americana Street/CDT Productions, BMI/ASCAP; Lamon (track)
—Country with a capital “K.” He has a drawl you can cut with a knife, and the band lays the fiddle and steel on thick. Not for the faint of heart.

BRANTLEY GILBERT/More Than Miles
Writer: John Eddie/Brantley Gilbert; Producer: Dann Huff; Publisher: WB/John Eddie/Warner Tamerlane/Indiana Angel, ASCAP/BMI; Valory Music (track)
—Driving away won’t cure his heartache, no matter how far he goes. The track has a rolling, churning quality that propels the song forward. His soft-yet-earnest vocal performance is perfectly shaded to the lyric. Very radio worthy.

ROY SOLIS/Sippin’ on a Six Pack
Writer: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Ave. 1  (www.roysolismusic.com)
—Thin sounding. I like the accordion, but the rest of the instrumental backing could use some oomph. His singing lacks lung power and hits the high notes flat. Pass.

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)
—This is a change of pace from their “Angel Eyes” hit. It is a pop bopper with rhythm to spare. The compressed-sounding, rapid-fire vocal delivery is ear catching as well.

BILL McALISTER & I-57 SOUTH/Between Silver & Gray
Writer: William Alaric McAlister; Producer: Patrick T. Doody & Bill McAlister; Publisher: Palos Orland, ASCAP; Lane (track) (www.lanerecords.net)
—Very much is the shadow of Waylon Jennings, from the “outlaw” backbeat to his baritone vocal delivery. The lyric refers to the fact that he’s on the far side of 50. That’s okay. Music keeps you young.

COLT FORD/Answer to No One
Writer: C. Ford/S. Houchins/N. Gordon/M. Hartnett; Producer: Shannon Houchins, Noah Gordon & Mike Hartnett; Publisher: Average JZS/Mike Hartnett, BMI/ASCAP; Average Joes (track) (www.coltford.com)
—Name your poison: rap or rock. This has both, plus a dash of right-wing politics.

ANGEL MARY & THE TENNESSEE WEREWOLVES/Cowboy
Writer: Jean Picard-Ami/Angel Mary Picard-Ami/Christian Picard-Ami; Producer: Angel Mary & The Tennessee Werewolves; Publisher: none listed, BMI; Verado (CDX) (www.angelmary.net)
—Ya gotta love their name. The sound is rebel rocking with plenty of attitude. It would work a little better if she had more moxie in her delivery.

UNCLE KRACKER/Nobody’s Sad on a Saturday Night
Writer: M. Shafer/Shane McAnally/J.T. Harding; Producer: Keith Stegall; Publisher: Warner-Chappell/Gaje/Universal/Smack Ink/Little Blue Egg/Kobalt/SONGS/Mighty Seven/Songs of SMP/Heavy Metal Disco, BMI/ASCAP; EMI/Sugar Hill/Vanguard (CDX) (www.unclekracker.com)
—Infectious. Energetic. Cleverly written and sung with joyous abandon. Play it.

CHRIS COX/December in the Snow
Writer: Walt Wilder; Producer: Walt Wilder; Publisher: Taloga Leedy/Pactow, BMI; CMM (CDX) (405-751-2140)
—A vocal tremelo to drive a truck through.

Publishing Notes

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Benom Plumb is leaving his post as Manager, Licensing & Administration at Bluewater Music to become a professor in The University of Colorado Denver’s music business department. His last day in the office at Bluewater will be Nov. 2, but he will continue working with Bluewater as an advisor and consultant. Reach him at benom@bluewatermusic.com.

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MusicRow extends condolences to Ten Ten Music Group VP of A&R Patrick Clifford on the passing of his mother, Doris Clifford. She resided in Audubon, Penn. and died on Sun., Oct. 14, 2012 after a long battle with cancer. Funeral services will be held at Pittsburgh’s St. Thomas A’Becket Church on Fri., Oct. 19 at 10 a.m. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to one of the following charities: Defenders of Wildlife, 1130 17th St. NW, Washington DC 20036; or Montgomery Hospice, 25 W. Fornance St., Norristown PA 19401.