Questions remain following the news that TuneCore co-founders Jeff Price and Peter Wells abruptly exited the company this week, a change that could affect the independent music community.
Price, Wells and Gary Burke launched the digital distribution company in 2006, providing independent (and major) artists with a means to get their music to digital retailers. Artists pay a one time fee of $50 plus a percentage of royalties recovered to secure distribution to iTunes, Spotify and more. The service claims over 700,000 artists, most of which are producing music independently. It has also garnered high profile support from clients like Jay-Z, Drake, and The Civil Wars.
“Under our tenure, TuneCore took significant market share away from the traditional major labels,” said Price in a blog post announcing his exit. “As of July, 2012, TuneCore artists represent over 4% of all US gross digital music sales revenue and have sold over 610,000,000 units of music generating over $310,000,000 in gross music sales. More than four songs a second are sold on iTunes somewhere in the world by a TuneCore artist. Through the execution of the vision and the trust of the artist, TuneCore achieved about 40% of the market share of EMI and 25% of the market share of Universal in regards to digital music sales in the United States.”
No reason has been given for the exits, from Price or otherwise. Billboard points to unnamed sources who say the TuneCore board voted Price out on July 20 because it was “unhappy with the company’s financials.”
On Thursday (8/16), digital music service Rdio announced a licensing agreement with TuneCore and its rival CD Baby, bringing the service’s catalog to 18 million songs. It remains unclear if this announcement has any connection to the exits of Price and Wells.
Price has also been named for the 2013 class of Leadership Music.
Liberty Media Seeks Control of Sirius XM
/by Sherod RobertsonAccording to the Wall Street Journal, Liberty Media’s Chairman, John C. Malone has asked the Federal Communications Commission for approval to take over control.
Earlier this week, Liberty Media had increased its stake in Sirius XM to 48% and says it will “have purchased sufficient shares of Sirius’s common stock and will convert its preferred shares such that the transfer of control will be completed within 60 days of commission consent.”
Paisley Joins 2012 Port Paradise Music Festival Lineup
/by Eric T. ParkerThe event is part of a 4 day, 3 night cruise, which includes two full-size liners accommodating 5,000 promotional Bud Light contest winners.
Paisley will headline Sunday’s (11/18) concert with performers Young the Giant and The All-American Rejects at Coco Cay. The day prior (11/17), Pitbull will headline the concert with Far East Movement and Flo Rida at Atlantis in Nassau.
“This year’s eclectic lineup takes Port Paradise to the next level with a two-day music festival at the heart of the cruise,” said Mike Sundet, VP, Bud Light.
Adults, 21 and older, are still eligible to enter the contest by visiting www.Facebook.com/BudLight through the end of the month (8/31).
Snapshots (8/17/12)
/by MichelleTonight’s (8/17) GAC Top 20 Country Countdown episode was shot at The Imus Ranch in Ribera, NM, a 4,000 acre working cattle ranch owned by radio star Don Imus and his wife Deirdre that provides the experience of the great American cowboy to children facing cancer or serious blood disorders. The episode includes host Nan Kelley interviewing eight-time world champion cowboy Joe Beaver as well as 14-year-old Wyatt Imus, one of the Kid Wranglers on the ranch (and the Imus’ son). It airs tonight, 8/17 at 7 pm CT on GAC.
Pictured (L-R): GAC’s Nan Kelley, Deirdre Imus, Don Imus
• • • •
The August edition of the ASCAP “We Create Music” Series featured songwriters Jessi Alexander, Chris DeStefano, Clare Dunn and Bobby Hamrick, and included bands VITEK and The Wans, who performed at The Basement on 8/15.
Pictured (l-r): ASCAP's LeAnn Phelan, Chris DeStefano, Jessi Alexander, Bobby Hamrick, Clare Dunn, and ASCAP's Michael Martin and Evyn Mustoe
TuneCore Founders Exit, Questions Remain
/by FreemanPrice, Wells and Gary Burke launched the digital distribution company in 2006, providing independent (and major) artists with a means to get their music to digital retailers. Artists pay a one time fee of $50 plus a percentage of royalties recovered to secure distribution to iTunes, Spotify and more. The service claims over 700,000 artists, most of which are producing music independently. It has also garnered high profile support from clients like Jay-Z, Drake, and The Civil Wars.
“Under our tenure, TuneCore took significant market share away from the traditional major labels,” said Price in a blog post announcing his exit. “As of July, 2012, TuneCore artists represent over 4% of all US gross digital music sales revenue and have sold over 610,000,000 units of music generating over $310,000,000 in gross music sales. More than four songs a second are sold on iTunes somewhere in the world by a TuneCore artist. Through the execution of the vision and the trust of the artist, TuneCore achieved about 40% of the market share of EMI and 25% of the market share of Universal in regards to digital music sales in the United States.”
No reason has been given for the exits, from Price or otherwise. Billboard points to unnamed sources who say the TuneCore board voted Price out on July 20 because it was “unhappy with the company’s financials.”
On Thursday (8/16), digital music service Rdio announced a licensing agreement with TuneCore and its rival CD Baby, bringing the service’s catalog to 18 million songs. It remains unclear if this announcement has any connection to the exits of Price and Wells.
Price has also been named for the 2013 class of Leadership Music.
Glen Templeton’s Tour Bus in Accident
/by Caitlin RantalaThe accident occurred when the right front tire blew, sending the bus and its passengers about 250 yards into the ditch. There were no serious injuries from the accident and last night’s performance at the Iowa State Fair began as scheduled.
Templeton is currently in the studio with James Stroud finishing his debut album. For additional information and tour dates click here.
Inaugural Woofstock Benefit Tomorrow
/by Eric T. ParkerOpen to the public for a $20 donation, the afternoon runs from 11 AM-4 PM. Booths for Bonaparte’s Retreat, Woofstock, the Nashville Humane Association, rescue operations, pet services, veterinarians, and artists for several animal-centered activities will be available. Children twelve and under are free.
An invitation-only vegetarian dinner takes place tonight, (8/17) at The Studio, featuring a silent auction and a performance and autograph segment with Harris.
Click here more information.
Music Schedule:
The Whites: 11:00-11:30
Ella Mae Bowen: 11:40- 12:10
Shawn Camp: 12:20-12:50
18 South: 1:00-1:30
Mike Farris: 1:40-2:10
Buddy Miller: 2:30-2:55
Emmylou Harris: 2:55-4:00
Atkins to Play RNC Welcome Party
/by FreemanPhoto: John-Paul Photography
Rodney Atkins has been named as the headliner for the 2012 Republican National Convention’s welcome party, set for August 26 at Tampa’s Tropicana Field.
The invitation-only event officially kicks off the political convention, which will be held Aug. 27-30 at the Tampa Bay Times Forum. A total of 2,286 delegates and 2,125 alternate delegates representing all 50 states, DC, and territories will be in attendance, as well as roughly 15,000 media personnel.
Organizers are planning supplement the musical entertainment with some memorable visuals as well.
“It’s going to be something that’s so unique, people are going to be talking about it until the next convention,” Tampa Bay Host Committee president Ken Jones told the Tampa Bay Times.
Other performers scheduled for the welcome party include The Voice’s Karla Davis and American Idol’s Shannon Magrane, a Tampa native.
In other Atkins news, his single “Cleaning This Gun (Come On In Boy)” (from 2006 album If You’re Going Through Hell) is featured in The Bourne Legacy, which hit No. 1 at the box office after its release on Aug. 10.
Jason & the Scorchers Headlining Perry Baggs Benefit
/by Caitlin RantalaTickets are $20 and can be purchased here. Other performers include Dan Baird, The Stoney Creek Boys and more.
A memorial fund for Baggs’ burial expenses has also been established at First Tennessee Bank. To contribute, visit any Middle Tennessee branch and inquire about the Memorial of Perry Baggs III.
Photos: Gospel Music Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony
/by MichelleThe GMA Foundation (GMAF) inducted Aretha Franklin, Dallas Holm, The Hoppers, Rex Humbard, Love Song and Ricky Skaggs as the newest members of the GMA Gospel Music Hall of Fame on Tuesday, August 14, 2012 during a gala at Trinity Music City in Hendersonville, TN.
Those honoring the careers of the new Hall of Fame members were Dailey & Vincent, Dottie Peoples, Gordon Mote, Greg Long, The Isaacs, Jamie Grace, Michael W. Smith and The Talleys. The evening was hosted by Jason Crabb and Jaci Velasquez. The ceremony was taped by Trinity Broadcasting Network for future broadcast.
Pictured: The family of Rex Humbard, Dallas Holm, Love Song, Ricky Skaggs and The Hoppers. Photo by Gretchen Demonbreun / The Judy Nelon Group / GMA Gospel Music Hall of Fame
Hosts Jaci Velasquez (L) and Jason Crabb (R). Photo by Michael Ernst / The Judy Nelon Group / GMA Gospel Music Hall of Fame
The Talleys and The Hoppers perform during the induction of The Hoppers. Photo by Jim Sulcer / The Judy Nelon Group / GMA Gospel Music Hall of Fame
Gordon Mote (L) and Dallas Holm (R) perform during the induction of Dallas Holm. Photo by Jim Sulcer / The Judy Nelon Group / GMA Gospel Music Hall of Fame.
Luke Bryan Announces 2012 Farm Tour
/by Eric T. ParkerFarm Tour 2012 will play eight dates through several southern states, including five in his home state of Georgia. Full dates are included below.
The tour is sponsored by Country Financial, Harveys Supermarkets, Case IH, BMI, GAC and Carl Black Chevrolet. For specific ticket and venue information, including where to get tickets locally, click here.
Bryan’s recent No. 1 single, “Drunk On You,” places him in an elite group of only three other Country artists, including Jason Aldean and Taylor Swift, to have three consecutive Platinum-selling tracks on their current album.