Weekly Register: Colt Ford’s Declaration

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Colt Ford declares his No. 1 spot on the Country Albums chart this week debuting Declaration of Independence with 31k units. This is Ford’s fourth studio album which features collaborations with Jason Aldean, Wanya Morris of Boyz II Men, Kix Brooks, Montgomery Gentry, Jake Owen, Darius Rucker and more. The Average Joes release was produced by Shannon Houchins and Dann Huff.

“I just can’t thank my fans enough for making this record No. 1,” says an emotional Ford. “I believed this was my best album yet, and my fans have just proved I was right. Today is a great day and I am so blessed.”

In other Average Joes news, President Tom Baldrica recently announced he will soon depart his post with his responsibilities being assumed by Tony Morreale, VP, Marketing & Promotions.

Zac Brown Band’s Uncaged holds the No. 2 position on the country album chart with another 31k units sold this week for a total of 432k RTD.

Gloriana’s Thousand Miles Left Behind sold another 10k units following last week’s debut garnering 33k RTD.

Although slipping, total Country album YTD sales over the prior year continue in positive territory at 2.8% while digital albums over last year show an increase of 36.9%

Looking at individual tracks, Little Big Town’s current single “Pontoon” continues grooving this week by selling another 93k units and reaching 883k RTD.

However, the biggest sales story this week isn’t even on the chart (yet). Taylor Swift announced via a live YouTube chat on Monday (8/13) that her new album Red will be released Oct. 22. Her new single, “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together,” was also released and is headed for a huge debut. Industry sources believe the song will probably sell over 500k downloads by end of the tracking week this Sunday.

Songwriter Updates (8/16/2012)

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Pictured (L-R): Curb Music Publishing's Drew Alexander and Colt Cameron, Katie Kessler and ASCAP's Ryan Beuschel

Katie Kessler has signed an exclusive publishing agreement with Curb Music Publishing.

Kessler was discovered after participating in ASCAP’s Country Songwriters Workshop and The ASCAP Belmont Songwriter Series. She is also a recent graduate of Belmont University.

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Pictured (L-R): ASCAP's Mike Sistad, Chris Stapleton, Sarah Zimmermann (Striking Matches), Morgane Hayes, Eric Paslay, Jessi Alexander, Jon Randall, Dave Berg and Justin Davis (Striking Matches)

Country songwriters and Napa Valley winemakers came together for ASCAP’s annual Nashville In Napa on August 11 at Baldacci Family Vineyards to benefit Notes for Education, founded by Frank Rogers and Debi Cali of Baldacci Vineyards.

This year’s event, featured songwriters including Jessi Alexander, Dave Berg, Morgane Hayes Stapleton, Eric Paslay, Jon Randall and Chris Stapleton. Prior to the main event, Radney Foster, Silverado Pickups and Striking Matches (Justin Davis and Sarah Zimmermann) entertained an audience on August 8, at the Napa Valley Opera House.

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Pictured (L-R): SESAC’s Tim Fink and Vezner. Photo: Peyton Hoge

SESAC has signed songwriter Jon Vezner for representation. Vezner has scored cuts by Martina McBride, John Mellencamp, and Faith Hill. He also co-wrote the Kathy Mattea classic “Where’ve You Been,” which went on to win Song of the Year honors at the CMA and ACM Awards and a Best Country Song Grammy.

Russell Moore & IIIrd Tyme Out Lead IBMA Noms

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Russell Moore & IIIrd Tyme Out

Russell Moore & IIIrd Tyme Out leads the nominations for the 2012 International Bluegrass Music Awards with nine nods. Coming in with eight nominations is Alison Krauss & Union Station, followed by Blue Highway and The Boxcars with seven each.

Additionally, musician Doyle Lawson and late scholar ​Ralph Rinzler will be inducted into the Bluegrass Hall of Fame, and Distinguished Achievement Awards will go to Byron Berline, Joe & Lil Cornett (Gettysburg Bluegrass Festival), Orin Friesen, Kitsy Kuykendall and Darrell “Pee Wee” Lambert.

Earning nominations for Entertainer of the Year are Dailey & Vincent, The Gibson Brothers, Alison Krauss & Union Station, Steve Martin & The Steep Canyon Rangers, and Russell Moore & IIIrd Tyme Out.

Nominees were announced last night (8/15) at a press conference at Nashville’s Loveless Barn. The IBMA Awards will be presented at the Ryman Auditorium on Thurs., Sept. 27 during World of Bluegrass Week, running Sept. 24 – 30 in Nashville, and including the IBMA Business Conference and Bluegrass Fan Fest.

Russell Moore & IIIrd Tyme Out captured nominations for Entertainer of the Year and Vocal Group, as well as Song of the Year (“Pretty Little Girl From Galax,” written by Milan Miller), Album of the Year (Prime Tyme, Rural Rhythm), and Instrumental Performance. Additionally, Moore will compete for Male Vocalist, Gospel Recorded Performance and Recorded Event of the Year; and Wayne Benson earned a nomination for Mandolin Player of the Year.

Individually and as an ensemble, members of Alison Krauss & Union Station received eight nominations, including Entertainer, Song (for Peter Rowan’s “Dust Bowl Children”) and Album (Paper Airplane, Rounder). Krauss and Dan Tyminski earned nominations for Female and Male Vocalist of the Year, and instrumental nominations went to Ron Block (Banjo), Jerry Douglas (Dobro), and Barry Bales (Bass).

Blue Highway earned seven nominations, including Vocal and Instrumental Group of the Year, Album of the Year (Sounds of Home, Rounder), and Song of the Year for the Shawn Lane-penned title track. The band also received a nod for Instrumental Recorded Performance, and Rob Ickes will vie to retain his title as Dobro Player of the Year.

Reigning Emerging Artist of the Year, The Boxcars, received a total of seven group and individual nominations. The band was nominated for Instrumental Group, Album of the Year (All In, Mountain Home), and Instrumental Performance. Member Ron Stewart earned nods for Banjo Player, Fiddle Player and Recorded Event, and Adam Steffey is up for Mandolin Player.

ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR
Dailey & Vincent
The Gibson Brothers
Alison Krauss & Union Station
Steve Martin & The Steep Canyon Rangers
Russell Moore & IIIrd Tyme Out

VOCAL GROUP OF THE YEAR
Blue Highway
Dailey & Vincent
The Gibson Brothers
Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver
Russell Moore & IIIrd Tyme Out

INSTRUMENTAL GROUP OF THE YEAR
Blue Highway
The Boxcars
Sam Bush Band
Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper
Punch Brothers

EMERGING ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Darin & Brooke Aldridge
Della Mae
Joe Mullins & The Radio Ramblers
Frank Solivan & Dirty Kitchen
Darrell Webb Band

MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
Audie Blaylock
Jamie Dailey
Vince Gill
Russell Moore
Dan Tyminski

FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
Dale Ann Bradley
Sonya Isaacs
Alison Krauss
Claire Lynch
Rhonda Vincent

SONG OF THE YEAR
“A Far Cry From Lester & Earl” by Junior Sisk & Ramblers Choice, written by Tim Massey, Rick Purdue & Harry Sisk Jr.
“Dust Bowl Children” by Alison Krauss & Union Station, written by Peter Rowan
“Pretty Little Girl From Galax” by Russell Moore & IIIrd Tyme Out, written by Milan Miller
“Somewhere South of Crazy” by Dale Ann Bradley, written by Dale Ann Bradley & Pam Tillis
“Sounds Of Home” by Blue Highway, written by Shawn Lane

ALBUM OF THE YEAR
All In by The Boxcars (artists & producers), Mountain Home Records
Paper Airplane by Alison Krauss & Union Station (artists & producers), Rounder Records
Prime Tyme by Russell Moore & IIIrd Tyme Out (artists & producers), Rural Rhythm Records
Sounds of Home by Blue Highway (artists & producers), Rounder Records
The Heart of a Song by Junior Sisk & Ramblers Choice (artists), Wes Easter & Ramblers Choice (producers), Rebel Records

GOSPEL RECORDED PERFORMANCE OF THE YEAR
“Beyond The Sunset” by Doyle Lawson, Russell Moore, Jamie Dailey & Josh Swift (artists); Doyle Lawson (songwriter); Bob Kelley, Jack Campitelli & Darrel Adkins (producers); Rural Rhythm Records
“I Pressed Through The Crowd” by Dale Ann Bradley (artist), Joe Isaacs (songwriter), Alison Brown (producer), Compass Records
“I Saw Him Walk Out of the Sky” by Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver (artists), Dee Gaskin (songwriter), Doyle Lawson (producer), Mountain Home Records
“Satisfied” by Paul Williams & The Victory Trio (artists), Martha Carson (songwriter), Paul Williams (producer), Rebel Records
“Singing As We Rise” by The Gibson Brothers (artists); Joe Newberry (songwriter); Eric Gibson, Mike Barber & Leigh Gibson (producers); Compass Records

INSTRUMENTAL RECORDED PERFORMANCE OF THE YEAR
“Angeline The Baker” by the Lonesome River Band (artists & producers), Rural Rhythm Records
“Carroll County Blues” by Russell Moore & IIIrd Tyme Out (artists & producers), Rural Rhythm Records
“Manzanita” by Tony Rice, Josh Williams, Aaron Ramsey, Aubrey Haynie & Rob Ickes (artists); Anthony D. Rice (songwriter); Bob Kelley, Jack Campitelli & Darrel Adkins (producers); Rural Rhythm Records
“Roaring Creek” by Blue Highway (artists & producers), Jason Burleson (songwriter), Rounder Records
“That’s What She Said” by The Boxcars (artists & producers), Adam Steffey (songwriter), Mountain Home Records

RECORDED EVENT OF THE YEAR
“Beyond The Sunset” by Doyle Lawson, Russell Moore, Jamie Dailey & Josh Swift (artists); Bob Kelley, Jack Campitelli & Darrel Adkins (producers); Rural Rhythm Records
“Life Goes On” by Carl Jackson, Ronnie Bowman, Larry Cordle, Jerry Salley, Rickey Wasson, Randy Kohrs, D.A. Adkins, Garnet Bowman, Lynn Butler, Ashley Kohrs, Gary Payne, Dale Pyatt, Clay Hess, Alan Bibey, Jay Weaver, Ron Stewart & Jim VanCleve (artists); Bob Kelley, Jack Campitelli & Darrel Adkins (producers); Rural Rhythm Records
“Monroe” by Special Consensus with Josh Williams & Chris Jones (artists); Alison Brown (producer); Compass Records
“Old Violin” by Larry Cordle & Michael Cleveland (artists); Bob Kelley, Jack Campitelli & Darrel Adkins (producers); Rural Rhythm Records
“Singing As We Rise” by The Gibson Brothers (artists); Eric Gibson, Mike Barber & Leigh Gibson (producers); Compass Records

INSTRUMENTAL PERFORMERS OF THE YEAR
Banjo: Kristin Scott Benson, Ron Block, J.D. Crowe, Sammy Shelor, Ron Stewart
Bass: Barry Bales, Mike Bub, Missy Raines, Mark Schatz, Marshall Wilborn
Fiddle: Hunter Berry, Jason Carter, Michael Cleveland, Stuart Duncan, Ron Stewart
Dobro: Mike Auldridge, Jerry Douglas, Rob Ickes, Randy Kohrs, Phil Leadbetter
Guitar: Tony Rice, Kenny Smith, Bryan Sutton, Doc Watson, Josh Williams
Mandolin: Wayne Benson, Jesse Brock, Sam Bush, Sierra Hull, Adam Steffey

BLUEGRASS BROADCASTER OF THE YEAR
Kyle Cantrell; Sirius XM Satellite Radio; Nashville, TN
Katy Daley; WAMU’s Bluegrass Country; Washington, D.C.
Chris Jones; Sirius XM Satellite Radio; Nashville, TN

BLUEGRASS EVENT OF THE YEAR
Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion; Bristol, TN/VA
La Roche Bluegrass Festival; La Roche, France
ROMP, produced by the International Bluegrass Music Museum; Owensboro, KY

BLUEGRASS PRINT MEDIA PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR
Marty Godbey, author of Crowe on the Banjo: The Music Life of J.D. Crowe (Univ. of Illinois Press)
Derek Halsey; the Herald Dispatch in Huntington, W.Va. and Bluegrass Unlimited magazine
Ted Lehman; Ted Lehmann’s Bluegrass, Books & Brainstorms

BEST GRAPHIC DESIGN FOR A RECORDED PROJECT
Bedrock Manufacturing (designer) for Nobody Knows You, by the Steep Canyon Rangers (Rounder Records)
Caroline Hadilaksono (designer) for Beat the Devil and Carry a Rail, by Noam Pikelny (Compass Records)
Lynch Graphics (designer), for Home from the Hills, by Jimmy Gaudreau & Moondi Klein (Rebel Records)

BEST LINER NOTES FOR A RECORDED PROJECT
Geoffrey Himes (liner notes), for John Duffey: the Rebel Years: 1962-1977, by John Duffey (Rebel Records)
Marian Leighton Levy (liner notes), for Tony Rice: The Bill Monroe Collection, by Tony Rice (Rounder Records)
Bill Nowlin (liner notes), for Bill Monroe Centennial Celebration: A Classic Bluegrass Tribute, by Various Artists (Rounder Records)

Sheet Music Only Release Provokes Discussion

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Question: How do you get listeners to pay attention and engage with your work when all music is so readily and easily available?

Answer: Go seriously old school and release an album’s worth of unrecorded sheet music through a publishing house.

At least, that’s what you do if you’re Beck. The shape-shifting singer/songwriter made headlines last week with the announcement that his new album, Beck Hansen’s Song Reader, would be released not in CD, download or vinyl form, but as sheet music with companion artwork. The deluxe collection, due in December from McSweeney’s, features 20 songs (18 with lyrics, 2 instrumental), an introduction by writer Jody Rosen, and a foreword by Beck, for a total of 108 pages across 20 books.

“The Song Reader is an experiment in what an album can be at the end of 2012—an alternative that enlists the listener in the tone of every track, and that’s as visually absorbing as a dozen gatefold LPs put together,” says a post on Beck’s website.

While there is the distinct possibility this could be a publicity stunt to drum up support for an eventual musical release, it is still an interesting approach to fan engagement. Consumers have practically instant access to any album or song they desire, so getting them to spend some time with your work is increasingly difficult. Unless, of course, they have no idea what it sounds like. (In this case, we’re guessing it’s not “Loser”). It’s also a big risk, as the fans who just want to jam out to a new Beck album could be alienated.

But in the online age, uploading a YouTube video of yourself performing a popular song is now part of the culture, and perhaps an opportunity for 12-15 minutes of fame. Song Reader hopes to capitalize on this environment by having fans come up with their own interpretations of Beck’s work, and recording/posting them. There could be hundreds of different versions. Who knows, maybe some of the songs are even good.

McSweeney’s says it will post readers’ and “select musicians’” versions of the songs on its website. No word if Beck himself is included in that group.

This project might serve another useful purpose for the artist. Assuming no CD/download is coming for this album, you can bet fans will line up for tickets to Beck’s shows to hear how he imagined the songs.

Don’t expect everyone to rush out and start releasing unrecorded sheet-music-as-album, though. If you’re Beck, you can probably get away with it. But coming up with off the wall ideas to keep fans involved and people talking, is a crucial part of standing out from the crowd.

MusicRowPics: The Wheeler Sisters

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Yesterday (8/15), MusicRow met The Wheeler Sisters, a duo signed to the newly formed label Ocala Records, created by Mike and Martha Borchetta. The sibling pair, Cristina and Dani Wheeler, covered “Heaven’s Just a Sin Away” and “Blame it on Your Heart.” That classic country sound, with which the sisters grew up in Southern California, weaves through their own music like the original song “Goodbye Lonely.”

“We want to keep it simple,” the sisters explained. “But we also love the sassiness of artists like Miranda Lambert. We want to combine those two things in our own music.”

Their current single “This is Gonna Get Ugly,” is currently available on iTunes. The song was written by Kelly Archer, Jim McCormick and Justin Weaver. McCormick also produced the single.

For more information on The Wheeler Sisters, visit wheelersisters.com.

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Currington Joins “Road to the Ram Jam” Lineup

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Billy Currington will join previously announced artists Kellie Pickler, Brantley Gilbert, Easton Corbin, and Zac Brown Band for the Road to the Ram Jam series and sweepstakes. The Road to the Ram Jam, presented by the Ram Truck brand, features five of today’s best country music artists and provides fans the opportunity to win prizes including trips for two to an invitation-only 2012 Ram Jam concert event December 29 in Nashville, TN where all five artists will perform.

Currington is offering fans a chance to win a free download of his single “Swimmin’ in Sunshine” when they enter the Road to the Ram Jam concert sweepstakes. All five participating artists have received a lease on a 2012 Ram 1500 Laramie Longhorn truck. The trucks will be auctioned off in early 2013 with all proceeds going to benefit a charity of each artist’s choice. Proceeds from Currington’s truck will be donated to Team Rubicon, an organization which unites the skills and experiences of military veterans with medical professionals to rapidly deploy emergency response teams into crisis situations.

Fans can enter the sweepstakes for a chance to win trips for two to the invitation-only 2012 Ram Jam concert event at www.RamTrucks.com/RoadtoRamJam or on the Ram Trucks Facebook page at www.ramjamsweeps.com.

Rimes to Headline VH1 Fundraiser

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LeAnn Rimes will headline the VH1 Save the Music Foundation’s Songwriters Music Series Napa, presented by William Hill Estate Wines and Raymond Weil. The event will take place Thursday, September 20, 6:30-10 pm at William Hill Estate in Napa and follows the April 2012 series kick off with Robin Thicke.

“I am thrilled to be a part of the VH1 Save The Music Foundation’s Songwriters Music Series,” said Rimes. “Music is such an important part of my life and I’m happy to help spread awareness about the incredible work VH1 Save The Music is doing to keep music education programs in our schools. I look forward to a great show!”

The Songwriters Music Series, which originally featured performances by Jewel, Darius Rucker, Rob Thomas and more, got a reboot in 2011. The newly re-launched version featured performances by The Band Perry, Glee star Matthew Morrison, Colbie Caillat and Andy Grammer. Since 2011, it has raised over $388,000 for 12 music education programs nationwide.

Tickets for the event are sold out, but individuals can pledge support with the purchase of a t-shirt to benefit Save the Music. Details here.

Erin Enderlin Inks Management Deal

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Standing (L-R): Mike Taliaferro (Carter & Co.), Noah McPike (Almon Law, PLLC). Seated: Joe Carter (Carter & Co.), Erin Enderlin

Singer/songwriter Erin Enderlin has signed an exclusive management agreement with Carter & Company. Enderlin’s songwriting credits include hits such as “Monday Morning Church” (Alan Jackson), “Last Call” (Lee Ann Womack), and “You Don’t Know Jack” (Luke Bryan).

Managers Joe Carter and Mike Taliaferro previously worked with Country artist Tracy Byrd.

Enderlin is featured on an upcoming September 15 Nick Lowe tribute album (Fiesta Red Records) alongside artists including Lori McKenna, Hayes Carll, and Robert Ellis with proceeds benefiting the Nashville flood victims. She released an 8-track EP in May 2011 and was a featured artist on the 2011 Country Throwdown Tour.

SoundExchange Seeking 50,000 Copyright Holders

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SoundExchange today (8/15) released a list of more than 50,000 recording artist and record label names owed tens of millions of dollars in unclaimed digital performance royalty payments. This list also includes more than $31 million in royalties that are three or more years old.

SoundExchange is the nonprofit organization entrusted by the Library of Congress to collect and distribute royalties for sound recordings streamed on Internet radio, satellite radio and cable music services.

The organization is encouraging recording artists and record labels to view the searchable database located on its website to learn more and register to receive their share. The unclaimed royalties, ranging from $10 to more than $100,000, have been collected by SoundExchange during the past decade. Those that are not included on the list, and have not yet registered with SoundExchange, are encouraged to also register to receive future digital radio royalties.

SoundExchange has paid more than $1 billion in digital performance royalties to the artists and labels it represents since its inception. It has contacted tens of thousands of recording artists and record labels owed money throughout the years, and has registered more than 30,000 artists and labels in the last three years.

“The digital music industry is continuing to grow, providing recording artists and record labels with an increasingly beneficial revenue stream. We are doing everything possible to make sure artists and labels know that and capitalize on it,” said SoundExchange President Michael Huppe.

To register online, visit: http://sndx.co/register.

Jake Owen to Release ‘Endless Summer’ EP

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Jake Owen and RCA Nashville will release a four-song EP titled Endless Summer on September 25, available digitally and at most retailers.

Owen unofficially announced the EP at his CMA Music Fest Fan Club party and has been previewing the tracks, including “Summer Jam,” written by the duo Florida Georgia Line and Craig Wiseman, and a cover of Ben Harper “Steal My Kisses,” at various live dates.

Owen earns his first executive producer credit on the EP, and Joey Moi returns as producer for all four tracks. Moi previously produced “Barefoot Blue Jean Night,” “Alone With You,” and Owen’s current single, “The One That Got Away.”

“It’s been almost a year since our album, Barefoot Blue Jean Night, came out,” says Jake. “And, I started thinking that I really wanted to put out a few new tunes that had a summer vibe. Hopefully, these songs will be ones that keep the party going into the fall and people will crank them up loud when they are out on the water enjoying their own endless summer.”

To hear more from Owen about the EP, click here.