Pictured (L-R): ASCAP's Michael Martin, Michael Knox, Neil Thrasher, Jason Aldean, Michael Dulaney and ASCAP's Marc Driskill
Michael Martin welcomed a full house to the lobby of ASCAP Tuesday (7/17) to celebrate Jason Aldean’s eighth career No. 1 single “Fly Over States.”
Veteran songwriters Neil Thrasher and Michael Dulaney, who have received seven and five No. 1 honors respectively, accepted awards alongside representatives from BMG Chrysalis, Full Circle Music, Major Bob Music, Mojave Rain Music, Warner/Chappell Music, and We Jam Writers Group. Producer Michael Knox, Aldean and the staff from Broken Bow Records, including Owner/CEO Benny Brown, were on hand to accept plaques.
“This song shows what a true copyright is,” said President of Full Circle Music, Michael Hollandsworth. “There could not have been a better recording than this from Michael Knox and Aldean. They have the ability to find great songs the way George Strait did.”
Brandi Simms honored the songwriters with the first of CMA’s new No. 1 medallions. She briefly commented on the decision by the CMA Board to change from the former No. 1 plaques to medallions.
Michelle Kammerer, a Kansas native, gratefully delivered CRB trophies saying, “Thank you for letting people know my state is more than just Highway 70 to Colorado.”
“I didn’t have a choice not to cut this song,” said Aldean. “It was meant to be. I almost recorded it in 2009 for Wide Open and kicked myself for not putting it on there. I told Michael and made sure it was on this one.”
Broken Bow Music Group SVP Jon Loba paid thanks to radio, road crew and the BBR staff while delivering a special five for five plaque, commemorating the five No. 1 singles from Dirt Road Anthem.
“It takes a lot to set No. 1 records, but when you do it five times over, it’s incredible,” said Aldean, thanking his promotions team.
Loba reminisced of Brown’s forecast years ago when the label owner said, “You watch, Aldean will be the rocket ship we all take a ride on.”
Accordingly, “Take A Little Ride,” the lead single from Aldean’s upcoming fifth studio album was released this week and has already made the No. 1 spot on iTunes’ all-genre singles chart.
First Amendment Center Surveys Public About Piracy
/by Sarah SkatesKen Paulson
Most Americans believe the government should prosecute people who pirate music and movies online according to a new survey conducted by the First Amendment Center at Vanderbilt University. Released July 17, the survey shows 59 percent favor prosecuting pirates, 33 percent are opposed, and nine percent “don’t know.”
The public is more ambivalent about the use of copyrighted material on social media. 44 percent of those surveyed said people should be able to post copyrighted material online without paying rights fees “as long as no money is being made.” 42 percent said posters should not have that right.
“Using content for personal and hobby use is consistent with the legal doctrine of fair use, allowing us to use copyrighted material in limited, generally nonprofit ways that don’t significantly affect the market for the original content,” explained Ken Paulson, president of the First Amendment Center.
“At this country’s birth, the nation’s founders guaranteed free speech and art through the First Amendment and ensured compensation for authors and creators through a copyright clause in the U.S. Constitution and federal law. These were complementary principles, which together helped ensure that a then-young nation would be a capital of creativity, ” added Paulson. “As illegal downloading has flourished, the right to create remains unabated, but the right to be paid for your work has been seriously damaged.”
The 2012 national survey of 1006 adults was conducted in June by telephone by the PERT Group, and directed by Dr. Kenneth Dautrich.
Radio News: Marconi Award Noms, Dan Halyburton
/by Sarah SkatesCountry Station of the Year noms
KCLR-FM, Columbia, MO
KUAD-FM, Fort Collins, CO
WIL-FM, St. Louis, MO
WYCD-FM, Detroit, MI
WZZK-FM, Birmingham, AL
Other award categories include Personality and Station of the Year in Large, Medium and Small Markets. See the complete list here.
Dan Halyburton
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Country Radio Hall of Fame inductee Dan Halyburton has joined Texas State Networks in a business development role. He will be based at the CBS/Dallas headquarters. Halyburton was most recently Exec. VP of New Media at McVay/Cook Associates. He can be reached at 214-707-7237 or dan.halyburton@cbsradio.com.
Dwight Yoakam to Release New Album
/by Caitlin RantalaYoakam will be honored by the Academy of Country Music with the Cliffie Stone Pioneer Award at the 6th Annual ACM Honors on Sept. 24 in Nashville. The prestigious Award salutes individuals who are pioneers in the country music genre. Past recipients include Johnny Cash, Garth Brooks, Dolly Parton, Willie Nelson, Hank Williams Sr. and Hank Williams Jr.
Yoakam also recently narrated the current exhibit at The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, The Bakersfield Sound: Buck Owens, Merle Haggard, and California County, showing through the end of next year. The exhibit explores the roots, heyday and impact of the Bakersfield Sound, the loud, stripped-down and radio-ready music most closely identified with the careers of Country Music Hall of Fame members Buck Owens and Merle Haggard.
3 Pears track listing
1. Take Hold Of My Hand
2. Waterfall
3. Dim Lights, Thick Smoke
4. Trying
5. Nothing But Love
6. It’s Never Alright
7. A Heart Like Mine
8. Long Way To Go
9. Missing Heart
10. 3 Pears
11. Rock It All Away
12. Long Way To Go (Reprise)
Offices Shuffle Around Nashville
/by Eric T. ParkerCombustion was formed in 2001 as a partnership with Warner/Chappell Music. It has represented the catalogs of Ashely Gorley, Kings of Leon, Brett James, Blair Daly, Gordie Sampson, Matthew West, and Drew Ramsey.
• • • •
Eighty-five staffers are stretched out over 25,000 square feet between two of the six renovated buildings.
Other offices already in the historic buildings include the Center for Nonprofit Management, Hands on Nashville, Arts & Business Council and the Entrepreneur Center.
The Farm Celebrates Debut Release, Plans Tour
/by Eric T. ParkerPictured (L-R): WMN's Peter Strickland; The Farm's Damien Horne, Krista Marie, and Nick Hoffman; WMN's Chris Stacey, Bob Mitchell (Dale Morris Management), Rob Dalton (New Revolution), Marc Oswald (Dale Morris Management)
Nashville trio The Farm released its self-titled debut this week (7/17) via All In Records and Elektra Nashville. The album release party took place Monday evening (7/16) at Nashville’s Fontanel Mansion in a party hosted by Warner/Elektra.
The 11-track album features the single “Home Sweet Home” written by the band’s Nick Hoffman, Damien Horne, and Krista Marie, with co-producer Danny Myrick. Hoffman also co-produced the project.
The country trio will be on the road through the fall, including a stop at Chicago’s Wrigley Field to sing the national anthem.
The Farm’s upcoming tour dates:
Date City Venue
July 19 – Twin Lakes, WI Country Thunder
July 20 – Davenport, IA Centennial Park *Heartland Jam Festival
July 21 – West Valley City, UT Maverik Center
July 22 – Wichita, KS Richard A. DeVore South YMCA *2012 Strong Kids Concert
July 24 – Ionia, MI Ionia Free Fair
July 26 – Charlevoix, MI East Park *Charlevoix Venetian Festival
July 28 – Lakeside, CA Lakeside Rodeo Grounds *KSON Country Fest 2012
August 2 – Uncasville, CT Mohegan Sun
August 4 – Englishtown, NJ Raceway Park *Shake The Lake Rockin’ Country Festival
August 6 – 11 Deadwood, SD Deadwood Mountain Grand
August 13 – Napoleon, OH Henry County Fair
August 17 – Springfield, MO KTTS PFI *Party in the Parking Lot
August 17 – Springfield, MO Midnight Rodeo
August 25 – Berea, OH Cuyahoga County Fairgrounds *WGAR Country Jam
August 27 – Chicago, IL Wrigley Field
August 27 – Chicago, IL Joe’s on Weed Street
August 31 – South Park Twp, PA Allegheny County South Park Fairgrounds
September 2 – Orlando, FL Hard Rock Live Orlando * K92.3 All Star Acoustic Jam
September 3 – Newton, NC Hickory American Legion Fair
September 8 – Bowling Green, KY Balloons, Tunes & BBQ
September 13 – Madisonville, KY Glema Mahr Center for the Arts
October 6 – Kansas City, MO Kemper Arena
October 7 – Sparta, IL Southern Illinois Country Fest
October 12 – Dallas, TX Toby Keith’s I Love This Bar
October 14 – Maryville, TN Foothills Fall Festival
Snapshots: Sunny Sweeney & Chris Young
/by MichelleSunny Sweeney recently celebrated her 30th performance on the Grand Ole Opry stage since her 2007 Opry debut. “I love, love, love to play The Grand Ole Opry!! Every time I play there it feels like the first time. I’m in awe of its history and how gracious all the members are to new, young artists like myself. This time, Larry Gatlin introduced us and we had a blast!!” said Sweeney.
Currently, Sweeney is writing for her follow up to the critically-acclaimed album, Concrete, which was released in 2011 on Republic Nashville. Sunny penned seven of the 10 tracks, including “From A Table Away,” which is the highest charting debut single for a female country artist since Taylor Swift more than four years ago. Throughout the summer, Sweeney will open several dates at fairs and festivals for Blake Shelton, Jerrod Niemann and Miranda Lambert. For more information visit SunnySweeney.com.
Pictured (L-R): Fitzgerald-Hartley manager Steve Emley, Grand Ole Opry VP & General Manager Pete Fisher, Sweeney and Grand Ole Opry Group President Steve Buchanan. Photo: Fitzgerald-Hartley
• • • •
Chris Young will be the special guest star on GAC’s Top 20 Country Countdown this week. The episode featuring Young will premiere on July 20 at 7PM CT. Young is also set to appear on GAC’s On The Streets on July 31. While visiting the GAC studios, Young presented network Pres. Ed Hardy with a plaque celebrating his last No. 1 video on the countdown for single “Tomorrow.”
In addition to burning up the road with Miranda Lambert and her On Fire tour, Young recently landed his fifth consecutive No. 1 single and posted two RIAA certified Gold singles. His newest single, the title track to his recently released album Neon, isclimbing the charts at country radio. For more information visit www.chrisyoungcountry.com.
Chris Young (R) and GAC President Ed Hardy (L) Photo: GAC
Emmylou Harris Leads Inaugural WoofStock Benefit
/by Eric T. ParkerThe public is invited to the mansion on Sat., Aug. 18, from 11 AM-4 PM for a festival including performers Harris, Miller, Camp among others. Vendors include booths for Bonaparte’s Retreat, Woofstock, the Nashville Humane Association, as well as different rescue operations, pet services, veterinarians, and artists for several animal-centered activities.
There will also be an invitation only vegetarian dinner taking place Fri., Aug. 17 for guests and dogs at The Studio, featuring a silent auction of clothing and jewelry from local artists and a performance and autograph segment with Harris.
Tickets are available for Saturday’s events with a $20 donation, collected at the gate. Children twelve and under are free. Click here more information.
Snapshots: Greg Bates, Old Crow Medicine Show
/by Caitlin Rantala(L-R): MusicRow Magazine contributor, Robert K. Oermann; CMA Senior Vice President of Marketing and Communications, Sheri Warnke; Big Machine Music Manager, Mike Molinar; CMA Senior Manager of Membership and Balloting, Brandi Simms; CMA Chief Executive Officer, Steve Moore; Greg Bates; Big Machine Label Group publicist, Nikki Burns; Big Machine Music Manager, Martha Earls; CMA Senior Coordinator of Member Relations and Services, Betsy Walker; Songwriter/Producer, Jimmy Ritchey.
Republic Nashville recording artist Greg Bates visited the CMA offices Tuesday, July 17 to perform for the staff. He played his current single, “Did It for the Girl,” as well as “Go Time,” “Brothers,” and “Fill in the Blank,” all from his self-titled EP.
• • • •
(L-R): (Back Row) Old Crow Medicine Show’s Critter Fuqua, Morgan Jahnig, Kevin Hayes, and Gill Landry; (Front Row) Paradigm Talent Agency’s Bobby Cudd, Old Crow Medicine Show’s Chance McCoy and Ketch Secor, manager Norm Parenteau, and BMI’s Clay Bradley. Photo: Eric England
BMI and ATO Records joined forces on Monday (7/16) to celebrate Old Crow Medicine Show’s new album Carry Me Back, released Tuesday (7/17). Held at Nashville’s legendary Station Inn, the invite-only event featured a performance by the roots music favorites.
Jason And The Scorchers Reunite For Baggs Fundraiser
/by Eric T. ParkerPaul Needham • mohawkvisuals.com
Jason And The Scorchers will reunite for a benefit and tribute honoring its late songwriter and drummer, Perry Baggs. Hosted at Exit/In Aug. 18 at 7 PM, the bill also includes Simmonz, The Stoney Creek Boys, and other friends.
Baggs passed away July 12 from an ongoing battle with diabetes and kidney failure.
Tickets are available for $20 in an effort to raise money for funeral costs. For more information, click here.
Aldean Cheers Fifth Consecutive No. 1 “Fly Over States”
/by Eric T. ParkerPictured (L-R): ASCAP's Michael Martin, Michael Knox, Neil Thrasher, Jason Aldean, Michael Dulaney and ASCAP's Marc Driskill
Michael Martin welcomed a full house to the lobby of ASCAP Tuesday (7/17) to celebrate Jason Aldean’s eighth career No. 1 single “Fly Over States.”
Veteran songwriters Neil Thrasher and Michael Dulaney, who have received seven and five No. 1 honors respectively, accepted awards alongside representatives from BMG Chrysalis, Full Circle Music, Major Bob Music, Mojave Rain Music, Warner/Chappell Music, and We Jam Writers Group. Producer Michael Knox, Aldean and the staff from Broken Bow Records, including Owner/CEO Benny Brown, were on hand to accept plaques.
“This song shows what a true copyright is,” said President of Full Circle Music, Michael Hollandsworth. “There could not have been a better recording than this from Michael Knox and Aldean. They have the ability to find great songs the way George Strait did.”
Brandi Simms honored the songwriters with the first of CMA’s new No. 1 medallions. She briefly commented on the decision by the CMA Board to change from the former No. 1 plaques to medallions.
Michelle Kammerer, a Kansas native, gratefully delivered CRB trophies saying, “Thank you for letting people know my state is more than just Highway 70 to Colorado.”
“I didn’t have a choice not to cut this song,” said Aldean. “It was meant to be. I almost recorded it in 2009 for Wide Open and kicked myself for not putting it on there. I told Michael and made sure it was on this one.”
Broken Bow Music Group SVP Jon Loba paid thanks to radio, road crew and the BBR staff while delivering a special five for five plaque, commemorating the five No. 1 singles from Dirt Road Anthem.
“It takes a lot to set No. 1 records, but when you do it five times over, it’s incredible,” said Aldean, thanking his promotions team.
Loba reminisced of Brown’s forecast years ago when the label owner said, “You watch, Aldean will be the rocket ship we all take a ride on.”
Accordingly, “Take A Little Ride,” the lead single from Aldean’s upcoming fifth studio album was released this week and has already made the No. 1 spot on iTunes’ all-genre singles chart.