Hunter Hayes Earns Gold; Plans Tour and TV Stops

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Hunter Hayes has earned his first Gold certification from the RIAA for his current single, “Wanted.”

“Wanted” is the second single off Hayes’ Atlantic Records self-titled debut album. His first single, “Storm Warning” is nearing Gold certification as well. To date, Hayes has sold a combined total of over one million digital singles.

Hayes is so far the only country artist to play every instrument, write/co-write every song, and co-produce his debut album. He has been performing across the US and Canada on his Most Wanted headlining tour and recently announced plans to join Carrie Underwood this Fall on her 2012 Blown Away tour.

Hayes is scheduled to perform “Wanted” on CBS’ The Talk, July 24 at 1  pm CT. He recently made his national television debut on CBS’ Late Show with David Letterman and also performed on Good Morning America as well as with The Roots on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon.

Signings: Brent Wesley, Josh Osborne

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Singer/songwriter Brent Wesley has inked a deal with Sea Gayle Music Publishing. Following his participation in ASCAP’s Country Music Workshop under the direction of Bonnie Baker, Wesley won the 2011 ASCAP Foundation Leon Brettler Award and got the chance to perform at Lincoln Center in New York. He later participated in ASCAP’s GPS Project, pairing him with Sea Gayle’s Liz O’Sullivan.

L-R: ASCAP’s Marc Driskill, Sea Gayle Music co-founder Brad Paisley, ASCAP’s LeAnn Phelan, Brent Wesley, Sea Gayle’s Liz O’Sullivan and Chris DuBois. Photo: Anna Maki

• • • • •

Celia Froehlig, VP of Black River Publishing, has announced the re-signing of songwriter Josh Osborne. “Josh was the first writer I signed back in 2010 when I joined Black River Publishing,” says Froehlig. “He is and will continue to be a valued member of our BRE family.” Osborne’s current credits include “Come Over” (Kenny Chesney) and “Neon” (Chris Young). He also has writing credits on upcoming releases by Greg Bates, Gwen Sebastian, Tim McGraw, Kacey Musgraves and more.

L-R: VP of Black River Publishing Celia Froehlig, Osborne, Black River Entertainment CEO Gordon Kerr

AristoMedia Releases International Report

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Click to see the newsletter

The AristoMedia Group has released the June 2012 issue of its Aristo International Report. Highlights in this report include:
• A recap and photo gallery of the successful 2012 Global Events showcases, held each year at the beginning of CMA Music Festival week in Nashville.
• A Q&A with Americana Music Association Executive Director Jed Hilly, who discusses the rising popularity of the genre in the U.S. and abroad.
• The upcoming Canadian CMA Awards, to be held this year in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.
• A profile of “Big Daddy” Lance James, who has been waving the Country music flag in South Africa for more than 50 years.
• A look at Lady Antebellum’s Own The Night world tour, which is selling out in Australia.
• Info on Aderra Media Works and its innovative, custom USB drives.
• Photos, international festival news and more.

See the full report here.

Industry Ink (6/29/12)

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Nashville-based Artist Growth earned the most votes in the “Best Music App” category during the MTV O Music Awards. The five-month-old startup company beat out fellow nominees like Spotify and Live Nation for the prize. In recent months, Artist Growth has announced a partnership with BMI to help streamline live performance royalties for participating artists.

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Country Radio Seminar is offering a “Crazy Days of Summer” discount on CRS 2013, which will be available from July 2 to July 31. During that period, a special $349 registration will be available until the end of the month or until 349 individuals have registered. Following the promotion, the CRS $399 Early Bird rate will go into effect. CRS 2013 is scheduled for Feb. 27 – March 1 in downtown Nashville. Register here.

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Big Machine Label Group is building on its love of racing and cars, as it has announced a long-term music partnership with Hot Wheels. The companies will celebrate the agreement with a “Double Loop Dare” tomorrow (6/30) during the X Games Los Angeles, which will air live on ABC beginning at 10:15 am. Two Team Hot Wheels drivers will pull off the stunt, driving their cars through 60 foot tall loops. See a preview here.

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Dale Turner

Radio promotion veteran and on-air personality Dale Turner has joined Radio Informer Inc. as VP Sales and Label Relations. In this role, Turner will oversee the compilation of Radio Informer’s Country CD sampler which is serviced to radio outlets and industry executives every month. The next issue ships on July 9. Turner, whose career includes time with RCA and Lyric Street Records, will also maintain his current morning show hosting duties at WDKN/Dickson, TN. Reach Turner here.

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The Society of Leaders in Development recently hosted its 10th Annual Music Row Yard Sale at Bridgestone Arena during the CMA Music Festival, raising $3500 for the Vanderbilt Music Therapy Program. The event collects memorabilia and promotional items from companies in the music industry and offers fans a chance to buy them during Music Fest.

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Congratulations to Dawn Delvo (of Black River Entertainment) and Rick Olszewski, who were named the 2012 Man & Woman of the Year by the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Tennessee Chapter. Both honorees are from Nashville and collectively raised over $164,000 for the organization.

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Emily Mueller

Emily Mueller has announced the launch of [listen + connect] creative, a creative services consultancy for songwriters and producers. Among the services the company offers are A&R, catalog management, and songplugging. A graduate of Belmont University, Mueller’s experience includes time working with Sarah Buxton’s catalog at Tom-Leis Music as well as working with Taylor Swift producer Nathan Chapman. She is currently working with up-and-coming songwriter Brett Tyler and producer Eddie Gore. Contact her here.

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Western boot company Lucchese has retained Jim Havey Public Relations for representation of its new Nashville flagship store, which opened June 1 in the Gulch neighborhood. Located at 503 12th Ave. S., the 4,000 square foot space aims to blend the city’s music and fashion scenes.

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Nashville-based application development company WV Magic Design has changed its name to DevDigital. Founded in 2005, the company builds custom products for multiple platforms and has created products for Rascal Flatts, Jason Aldean, and more. For more info, visit www.devdigital.com.

Americana Music Festival & Conference Sets Performers

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Nashville will host the 13th annual Americana Music Festival & Conference, Sept. 12-15 at the Sheraton Downtown hotel, and the first round of performers for the festival has been announced.

Artists slated to play the showcases during the event include Billy Joe Shaver, Punch Brothers, Brandi Carlile, Richard Thompson, Sara Watkins, The Deep Dark Woods, Shovels & Rope, John Hiatt, Eilen Jewell, Rodney Crowell, honeyhoney, and John Fullbright. Additional artists and new events for the festival will be announced soon.

Bonnie Raitt. Photo: Marina Chavez

The conference features a series of panels and workshops designed to educate, discuss, advance and inspire attendees. Additionally, Bonnie Raitt has been scheduled to deliver the Keynote Interview and receive a lifetime honor at the weeks 11th Annual Americana Honors and Awards ceremony at the Ryman. Booker T. Jones and Richard Thompson are also scheduled to receive lifetime achievement honors.

For each evening of the event, the music festival will bring more than 100 acts to clubs throughout Nashville. Conference registrants and the ticket-holders are admitted to shows. Last year, the festival saw more than 12,000 fans.

For a full list of entertainment and information on registration, click here.

Aaron Lewis Album Gets Release Date

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Blaster Records will release Aaron Lewis’ upcoming album The Road on September 11, 2012. The album will be available for pre-sale along with exclusive merchandise beginning mid-July at www.aaronlewismusic.com.

Co-produced by Lewis and James Stroud (Toby Keith, Tim McGraw, Willie Nelson, Chris Young), The Road follows Lewis’ debut solo EP, Town Line, which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Country Albums chart last year. The forthcoming album contains ten brand-new songs, including first single “Endless Summer.” It also contains the Rhett Akins/Dallas Davidson/Bobby Pinson-penned “Granddaddy’s Gun,” marking the first time in the Staind frontman’s career that he has cut a song he didn’t have a hand in writing.

The songs that make up The Road mirror the country roots of Lewis’ childhood. “This music and these songs represent who I am and where I come from,” says Lewis, who still resides in rural western Massachusetts.

The Road Track Listing:
1.    75
2.    The Road
3.    Endless Summer
4.    Red, White & Blue
5.    Lessons Learned
6.    Forever
7.    Granddaddy’s Gun
8.    State Lines
9.    Anywhere But Here
10.    Party in Hell

Tour dates, ticket information, on-sale dates, and fan club promotions will be available at www.aaronlewismusic.com.

Songwriter and Painter Susanna Clark Passes Away

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Susanna Clark with Guy Clark (L) and Townes Van Zandt (R) at Van Zandt's house in 1989. Photo: Alan Mayor

MusicRow sends its condolences to family and friends of songwriter and painter Susanna Clark, who passed away in her sleep at home earlier this week after a lengthy illness. She was 73.

Long an important part of Nashville’s creative community, Susanna Clark’s songs have been recorded by her husband Guy Clark, Emmylou Harris, Miranda Lambert, Jerry Jeff Walker, and many others. Her song “Come From the Heart” (co-written with Richard Leigh) was a hit for Kathy Mattea in 1989.

A native of Atlanta, Texas, she met Guy Clark in Oklahoma in 1969 and the couple relocated to Nashville in 1971. They were married on songwriter Mickey Newbury’s houseboat in 1972 and befriended songwriters like Townes Van Zandt and Rodney Crowell.

Clark was also a former art teacher whose paintings were used for the covers of Willie Nelson’s Stardust, Guy Clark’s Old No. 1 and Emmylou Harris’ Quarter Moon in a Ten Cent Town. A line from “Easy From Now On,” a song Clark co-wrote with Carlene Carter, formed Harris’ album title and inspired the cover painting.

A spokesperson for the family says that there will be no funeral service, in accordance with Susanna’s wishes.

Moore Partners with Cabela’s

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Cabela’s, outfitter of hunting, fishing and outdoor gear, has announced a multi-year endorsement and sponsorship of Valory Music Co. recording artist Justin Moore, the company’s first ever partnership with an artist. As part of the endorsement, Cabela’s will be the official outdoor apparel and gear retailer for Moore’s tour throughout 2012 and 2013.

“I’ve always tried to partner with people and companies that I respect,” says Moore. “I couldn’t be happier to be associated with a company like Cabela’s. The lifestyle that they promote and embrace is an exact reflection of how I grew up and how I intend to raise my family. I respect and admire the folks from Cabela’s immensely. It should be a lot of fun and hopefully, together, we can reach the next goals we each have in place.”

Moore will be appearing this summer at the grand opening for Cabela’s new store location in Rogers, Arkansas.

McGraw and Curb Records Trial Postponed

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A Nashville court has granted a request by Curb Records to postpone the upcoming breach of contract trial between the label and Tim McGraw.

The legal dispute concerns McGraw’s contractual obligations to Curb Records, which the label maintains he has yet to fulfill. McGraw has already moved on, announcing in May that he has signed with Big Machine Records and is recording a new album.

Originally slated for July, the trial date will be postponed until Curb Records “has the opportunity to take additional evidence surrounding Big Machine Records’ signing of Tim and when the 20 recordings Big Machine says it will release were made,” according to a press release from the label.

In late 2011 Curb requested an injunction barring McGraw from signing with any other labels until the dispute was settled, which was denied by a Nashville judge. The press release from Curb claims that, since the breach of contract lawsuit has yet to be settled, the “20 recordings” made for Big Machine actually belong to Curb.

Big Machine declined comment on the matter.

Curb Records originally filed suit against McGraw on May 23, 2011, and McGraw followed with a countersuit the next day. Curb argues that McGraw agreed to deliver five albums in a specified window of time, and breached his contract by recording Emotional Traffic “even before the 2009 release of his previous album (Southern Voice) and without consulting Curb Records as to the contents of this record.”

Billboard’s Ray Waddell has a comprehensive examination of the case here.

Despite the legal fracas, Curb Records released Emotional Traffic in January 2012. The album’s second single “Right Back Atcha Babe,” is already impacting country radio. At the same time, McGraw is preparing for the release of “Truck Yeah,” his debut single as a Big Machine recording artist.

Weekly Chart Report (6/29/2012)

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Jake Owen (R) recently appeared at the Butler Co Fair in Allison, IA to a record turnout. The show was hosted by KIAI FM The Country Moose Morning Host / PD Wolf Bowers (L).

SPIN ZONE
Nashville hit 105 degrees yesterday, breaking the previous record set in 1952, and Dierks Bentley’s “5-1-5-0” is just as hot in its second week of holding CountryBreakout Chart’s No. 1 spot. The Band Perry’s “Postcard From Paris” moves up to No. 2, followed by Brantley Gilbert’s “You Don’t Know Her Like I Do” at No. 3, Keith Urban’s “For You” at No. 4 and Kenny Chesney’s “Come Over” at No. 5 in only its 7th week on the chart.

Gloriana’s “Kissed You” continues its rise by jumping 2 up positions to No. 6 by adding another 203 spins while Little Big Town’s “Pontoon” motorboats up another 5 spots to No. 12. With a 276 spin gain this week, Zac Brown Band takes ten steps to No. 23 and Miranda Lambert’s “Fastest Girl In Town” jumps from No. 40 to No. 35 with an impressive 349 additional spins.

The chart debuts this week are led by Carrie Underwood’s “Blown Away” at No. 73 and Tim McGraw’s “Right Back Atcha Babe” at No. 75. Rounding out the debuts is Shawna Russell’s “Sounds Like A Party” at No. 76, Scarletta’s “Right Here Right Now” at No. 77 and Colt Ford (with Jake Owen) with “Back” at No. 79.

Frozen Reports: KFTX, KIAI, KGMN, KWEY, KXKZ, WDXX, WKBQ, WKWS, WXXK, WZMR

RADIO NEWS
Tim Andrews has left his post as Program Director at KGMN and joined KSWG in Phoenix. He can be reached at tim@963realcountry.com or (602) 254-6644 after July 16th. Brian Williams has taken the Program Director position at KGMN vacated by Andrews and can be reached at brian@kgmn.net or (928) 753-9100.

Upcoming Singles
July 2
Tim McGraw/Truck Yeah/Big Machine
Chris Cagle/Let There Be Cowgirls/Bigger Picture
Colt Ford feat. Jake Owen/Back/Average Joes
Andy Gibson/Summer Back/Curb
Steele/Do You Really Have To Go
Shane Yellowbird/They’re All About You/On Ramp

July 9
The Lost Trailers/American Beauty/Stokes-HRT-New Revolution
Lisa Torres/Car That Runs/Render Records
Miss Willie Brown/You’re All That Matters To Me/A&M Octone-Rodeowave
Parmalee/Musta Had A Good Time/Stoney Creek
Kip Moore/Beer Money/MCA
Steve Richard/Toothbrush/Force MP-GrassRoots

• • • •

New On The Chart—Debuting This Week
Artist/song/label — chart pos.
Carrie Underwood/Blown Away/19-Arista Nashville – 73
Tim McGraw/Right Back Atcha Babe/Curb – 75
Shawna Russell/Sounds Like A Party/Way Out West – 76
Scarletta/Right Here Right Now – 77
Colt Ford with Jake Owen/Back/Average Joe’s – 79

Greatest Spin Increase
Artist/song/label — spin+
Miranda Lambert/Fastest Girl In Town/RCA Nashville – 349
Zac Brown Band/The Wind/Southern Ground-Atlantic – 276
Big & Rich/That’s Why I Pray/Warner Bros. – 215
Little Big Town/Pontoon/Capitol – 211
Kenny Chesney/Come Over/Blue Chair-Columbia Nashville – 211

Most Added
Carrie Underwood/Blown Away/19-Arista Nashville – 16
Miranda Lambert/Fastest Girl In Town/RCA Nashville – 16
Tim McGraw/Right Back Atcha Babe/Curb – 12
Aaron Lewis/Endless Summer/Blaster Records – 12
Trace Adkins/Them Lips (On Mine)/Show Dog–Universal – 10
Casey James/Crying On A Suitcase 19/Columbia Nashville – 9
Heidi Newfield/Why’d You Have To Be So Good/Sidewalk Records – 8

On Deck—Soon To Be Charting
Glen Templeton/That’s My Job/Black River Entertainment – 183
Candy Coburn/That Thing You Do/LomaJean – 177
Bobby Dean/Me and George Strait/Lamon – 167
Bill Gentry/That Kind of Life/Tenacity Records – 165
Britt & Blaire/Young Summer/Mt. Juliet Records – 160

Curb Records’ Rachel Holder visited with Gator/107.9 morning team, Dingo and Blue, this week in Myrtle Beach, SC while promoting her single “In Your Arms.” (L-R): WGTR’s Dave "Blue" Bluefields, Holder, and Dingo

Scarletta visited with Neil Wieland (holding sign) at KAIR/Atchison, KS who added "Right Here Right Now," which debuted at No. 77 on the CountryBreakout Chart this week.

Mark Wayne Glasmire, Tommy Steele and Amber Hayes had dinner the evening before their “Tuesday On The Town” performance in Hampton, IA. (L- R): Luke (Amber’s cousin), Mark Wayne Glasmire, Amber Hayes, Tommy Steele, Mike and Janet Betten

Sugarland recently hung out with the UMG and US*99 crews in Tinley Park, IL. (L-R) Back Row: UMG’s Royce Risser and Brian Wright. Front Row: UMG’s Stephanie Wright, WUSN’s Liz Geerling, UMG’s Charlie Dean and Katie Dean, WUSN PD Jeff Kapugi, Jennifer Nettles, Laurie Kapugi, WUSN’s Marci Braun, Kristian Bush, and Mercury’s Damon Moberly