Last year, and for the past few years, country albums were very likely to drop from 60-65% in the second week of release. This year’s recent chart behavior shows that a new trend might be developing, lowering that second week drop to somewhere in the range of 50-55%. For example, Carrie Underwood’s week two Blown Away sales dropped 55% this week; Lionel Richie fell 52% in week two, Rascal Flatts fell the furthest dropping 68%, but Lee Brice and Kip Moore slid only 48% and 45% respectively in their second weeks.
In some of the above cases however, the week two numbers were buffered by using some good ole marketing tricks. For example, Carrie Underwood benefited from Mothers Day in week two. Lionel Richie took advantage of Easter and the ACM Awards to prop up week two sales. But Lee and Kip did it the hard way, just leveraging their growing fan bases with a hit track, and no doubt some aggressive pricing.
A few data points doesn’t secure a bona fide trend, but we’ll watch these movements and keep you informed.
this week: 5-13-12
Albums
As our quick-check grid shows, country album sales continue to stay ahead of last year, showing a healthy 8.4% YTD advance. The future shows a plucky release schedule taking shape through early summer. (Click here to see it all.) Projects from artists such as Alan Jackson, Kenny Chesney, Josh Turner and Zac Brown Band, plus many others should help to maintain the season’s early jump over 2011. However, looking back at 2011, May-July saw good performing releases from Eric Church, Blake Shelton, Chris Young, Scotty McCreery, Justin Moore and Brad Paisley. So the competition to stay ahead in 2012 will be heated.
New this week are Top 20 country debuts from Pat Green (No. 16; 6.5k) and Turnpike Troubadours (No. 14; 8k). However, Carrie Underwood (No. 1; 120k), Lionel Richie (No. 2; 71k) and Luke Bryan (No. 3; 26k) do the heavy lifting on this week’s chart.
Last week's numbers: 5-6-12
Tracks
Country tracks are catching on with fans, up 20% for 2012. This new sales opportunity is especially nice if one of your artists has a hit track and a younger, mouse-moving fanbase. Just ask this week’s top 10 wranglers Eric Church, Luke Bryan, Taylor Swift, Carrie Underwood (2), Kip Moore, Jason Aldean, Hunter Hayes, Miranda Lambert and Lee Brice how they feel about the extra clicks. The top five tracks this week each added more than 45k downloads this week and all seem destined to pass into Platinum territory. Take a look: “Springsteen” (816k), “Drunk On You” (858k), “Eyes Open” (779k), “Good Girl” (825k), and “Somethin’ ‘Bout A Truck” (719k).
With country track sales increasing dramatically, it begs the question: will downloads change the way consumers discover new music? For example, I was a 13-hour road hog yesterday and discovered a new entry in the “Shake it Girl” lyric sweepstakes. Luke Bryan’s anthem “Country Girl (Shake It For Me)” still retains the title in this award category, but a challenger can be found on the new Lacs album, “Shake It” featuring Big and Rich. This honking, pedal to the metal sonata is the wake up call every trucker needs about halfway through a long haul (actually I was driving a sedan). Is it a big ole country radio summer smash? If friends start posting about it and others start listening on subscription services, like Spotify, could it begin to translate into downloads or impulse buys? Something to watch for…
MusicRow Awards Final Nominations
/by contributorThe MusicRow editorial team selects a slate of nominees which is then voted on by the magazine’s readers. Outside nominations are accepted for Breakthrough Songwriter, saluting writers and co-writers who scored their first Top 10 hit on MusicRow, Billboard or Mediabase radio charts during the eligibility period (5/1/11 — 4/30/12).
The MusicRow Awards will be hosted at BMI’s Nashville headquarters on Wednesday, June 20 at 5:30 pm. RSVP to invite@musicrow.com
Readers were emailed ballots on Monday (5/14). Voting closed at 5 pm on Friday, May 18.
Scroll down to see the complete nominations list or Click here to download the PDF.
No. 1 Party: Lee Brice’s “A Woman Like You”
/by Freeman(L-R): SESAC’s Tim Fink, Skyline Music Publishing’s Paul Worley, HoriPro Entertainment’s Butch Baker, co-writer Jon Stone, BMI’s Clay Bradley, Lee Brice, Curb Records’ Mike Curb, co-writer Johnny Bulford, Warner-Tamerlane Publishing’s Steve Markland, co-writer Phil Barton, and HoriPro Entertainment’s Amy Hendon. Photo: Steve Lowry
“Today is a unique celebration of firsts,” said BMI Assistant VP Writer/Publisher Relations Clay Bradley as he greeted the noisy crowd. The event, held yesterday (5/15) in the Country Music Association’s atrium, was BMI and SESAC’s opportunity to salute the creative team behind Lee Brice’s No. 1 “A Woman Like You.”
Turns out Bradley wasn’t exaggerating. The hit single marks the first No. 1 for its writers Jon Stone, Johnny Bulford, and Phil Barton. It’s also Stone’s first No. 1 in the producer’s chair. And finally, it’s the elusive first No. 1 as a recording artist for Brice, himself a formidable songwriter who has scored No. 1s with Garth Brooks’ “More Than A Memory” and Eli Young Band’s “Crazy Girl.”
SESAC VP Writer/Publisher Relations Tim Fink noted that “A Woman Like You” was actually the first hit for Stone as a newly-minted SESAC writer. The origin of the song apparently involved an afternoon writing session and barbecue. “That’s the formula right there, barbecue,” joked Fink.
HoriPro’s Amy Hendon saluted Phil Barton, who has had numerous cuts for others and as an artist in his native Australia. “He’s changed my life, and I’m his biggest fan,” she said. “There’s hillbillies in Australia, y’all!” added HoriPro Sr. VP Creative Services Butch Baker.
Warner/Chappell VP Steve Markland was on hand to celebrate Bulford, and Paul Worley was there representing Stone’s publisher Skyline. Curb Records Chairman Mike Curb came in to honor his rising star Brice and the promotion team led by Adrian Michaels that pushed his song to the top.
Barton waxed excitedly about his time in Nashville. “It’s really the people you write with that make it such a magic place,” he said.
Bulford admitted that he was nervous about speaking to crowds. “My list of people to thank is in my phone, and my girlfriend took my phone,” he said. He also thanked the girlfriend, calling her his ‘woman like you.’ Aww.
Stone has a long background as a writer, but never scored a No. 1 until now (his “Me and My Gang” for Rascal Flatts fell just shy). “It’s only two feet high, but it’s taken me 13 years to climb it,” said Stone in reference to finally standing on the No. 1 stage.
Everyone involved was also quick to praise Lee Brice for his performance and ability to recognize a great song even though he didn’t write it. Brice was happy to throw praise right back to its creators.
“This song was written to the wall. Every word is perfect,” he said.
Artist Snapshots (5/16/12)
/by Freeman(L-R) : ASCAP's Mike Sistad, Old Dominion's Trevor Rosen, ASCAP's Alison Toczylowski and Robert Filhart, Old Dominion's Matt Ramsey and Geoff Sprung, Carly Pearce, Old Dominion's Whit Sellers and Devin Malone, Jared Ashley and ASCAP's Michael Martin. Photo: Tinti Moffat
ASCAP presented the third installment of ASCAP Amped on Monday (5/14) at Margaritaville in downtown Nashville. Performers included Carly Pearce, Jared Ashley, and Old Dominion.
• • • • •
(L-R): WMN VP of A&R Cris Lacy, WMN President/CEO John Esposito, Johnny Gates, WMN SVP Brand Management Peter Strickland, Andrew DeRoberts, Matt Scanlon, Jamie Jarbeau
Warner Music Nashville’s Johnny Gates & The Invite performed a showcase at 3rd & Lindsley on Monday (5/14). The band is currently working on its debut album.
• • • • •
(L-R): John Grady (Crush Management), Lisa Ramsey-Perkins (Senior Director A&R Sony Music Nashville), Steve Buchanan (President Grand Ole Opry Group), Kristen Kelly, Pete Fisher (VP/General Manager Grand Ole Opry), Lesly Tyson (VP National Promotion Arista Nashville). Photo: Chris Hollo
Arista Nashville’s Kristen Kelly recently made her Grand Ole Opry debut, performing her debut single “Ex-Old Man” and “He Loves To Make Me Cry.” Kelly is also featured as a performer on the “Virtual Opry” stage in “The Escape” plaza of Brad Paisley’s Virtual Reality World Tour 2012.
Little Big Town To Host 2012 Ride For a Cure
/by Caitlin RantalaThe event will stay true to form with the exception of a new starting location for registration and the pre-ride Jam Session that will be Mickey Roo’s (509 Hillsboro Road, Franklin, TN 37069) in the Kroger Independence Square parking lot on Hillsboro Pike. Registration begins at 8 am. Pre-ride entertainment will include Cali Rodi and riders will depart at 10:30 am for the Harley-Davidson Columbia Superstore.
Post-ride festivities will begin at 12 pm and include a lunch hosted by Applebee’s, an All-Star Jam Session with performances by Lauren Alaina, Dean Alexander, Love and Theft and Little Big Town as well as a live auction for all attendees.
Weekly Register: A Softer Rate of Descent
/by bossrossIn some of the above cases however, the week two numbers were buffered by using some good ole marketing tricks. For example, Carrie Underwood benefited from Mothers Day in week two. Lionel Richie took advantage of Easter and the ACM Awards to prop up week two sales. But Lee and Kip did it the hard way, just leveraging their growing fan bases with a hit track, and no doubt some aggressive pricing.
A few data points doesn’t secure a bona fide trend, but we’ll watch these movements and keep you informed.
this week: 5-13-12
Albums
As our quick-check grid shows, country album sales continue to stay ahead of last year, showing a healthy 8.4% YTD advance. The future shows a plucky release schedule taking shape through early summer. (Click here to see it all.) Projects from artists such as Alan Jackson, Kenny Chesney, Josh Turner and Zac Brown Band, plus many others should help to maintain the season’s early jump over 2011. However, looking back at 2011, May-July saw good performing releases from Eric Church, Blake Shelton, Chris Young, Scotty McCreery, Justin Moore and Brad Paisley. So the competition to stay ahead in 2012 will be heated.
New this week are Top 20 country debuts from Pat Green (No. 16; 6.5k) and Turnpike Troubadours (No. 14; 8k). However, Carrie Underwood (No. 1; 120k), Lionel Richie (No. 2; 71k) and Luke Bryan (No. 3; 26k) do the heavy lifting on this week’s chart.
Last week's numbers: 5-6-12
Tracks
Country tracks are catching on with fans, up 20% for 2012. This new sales opportunity is especially nice if one of your artists has a hit track and a younger, mouse-moving fanbase. Just ask this week’s top 10 wranglers Eric Church, Luke Bryan, Taylor Swift, Carrie Underwood (2), Kip Moore, Jason Aldean, Hunter Hayes, Miranda Lambert and Lee Brice how they feel about the extra clicks. The top five tracks this week each added more than 45k downloads this week and all seem destined to pass into Platinum territory. Take a look: “Springsteen” (816k), “Drunk On You” (858k), “Eyes Open” (779k), “Good Girl” (825k), and “Somethin’ ‘Bout A Truck” (719k).
With country track sales increasing dramatically, it begs the question: will downloads change the way consumers discover new music? For example, I was a 13-hour road hog yesterday and discovered a new entry in the “Shake it Girl” lyric sweepstakes. Luke Bryan’s anthem “Country Girl (Shake It For Me)” still retains the title in this award category, but a challenger can be found on the new Lacs album, “Shake It” featuring Big and Rich. This honking, pedal to the metal sonata is the wake up call every trucker needs about halfway through a long haul (actually I was driving a sedan). Is it a big ole country radio summer smash? If friends start posting about it and others start listening on subscription services, like Spotify, could it begin to translate into downloads or impulse buys? Something to watch for…
Edens Edge Album Tracklist Released
/by MichelleCherrill Green (harmony vocals, mandolin, banjo, guitar), Hannah Blaylock (lead vocalist) & Dean Berner (harmony vocals, guitar, dobro)
Big Machine Records’ trio Edens Edge has revealed the official tracklist for its self-titled debut album, which is set to be released on June 12.
Award-winning producers Mark Bright and Dann Huff each worked on individual tracks with the Arkansas-bred trio, who penned half of the songs. Edens Edge displays the group’s unique musical blend that is deeply rooted in Country music, acoustic instrumentation and vocal harmonies.
This summer, the group will open shows on Rascal Flatts’ nationwide Changed tour.
For more information click here.
Tracklist:
Underwood Interviewed By Oprah
/by Caitlin RantalaL–R: Carrie Underwood, Oprah Winfrey and Mike Fisher. Photo: Harpo Inc./George Burns
OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network presents all new episodes of Oprah’s Next Chapter this summer beginning Sunday, May 20 (9-10 p.m. ET/PT) when Winfrey travels to Nashville, Tennessee for an in-depth interview with country music artist Carrie Underwood and her husband NHL player Mike Fisher for their first ever television interview together.
Underwood reflects on her rise to stardom as she looks back on her journey. She and Fisher will also talk about how they balance their successful and fast-paced careers with their two year marriage. The couple will take Winfrey to their new plot of land where they plan to build their dream home.
Underwood’s new CD Blown Away recently debuted at No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Country and All-Genre sales charts. She was presented with a plaque to honor the achievement on Saturday (5/12) at the Grand Ole Opry.
L-R: Steve Buchanan (President Grand Ole Opry Group), Gary Overton (Sony Music Nashville Chairman & CEO), Underwood, Caryl Healey (Sony Music Nashville VP Sales), Ann Edelblute (XIX Entertainment), Pete Fisher (VP/General Manager Grand Ole Opry). Photo: Grand Ole Opry/Chris Hollo
Chris Young, Anthony Smith, Becky Harris Launch Artist Concepts
/by Sarah SkatesPictured (L-R): Anthony Smith, Chris Young, Brinley Addington, Becky Harris. Photo: Marc Rucker
Successful business manager Becky Harris, hit songwriter Anthony Smith (“Tomorrow”) and RCA recording artist Chris Young have launched Artist Concepts, a production and artist development company.
All three partners will seek out top new talent and Smith will spearhead the search for music. Smith and Young will co-produce the artists, and Harris will oversee bookkeeping and business management.
Artist Concepts’ first signing is singer-songwriter Brinley Addington. The Belmont alum also inked a publishing agreement with Razor & Tie, where Nashville operations are led by Lisa Johnson. He is set to go into the studio next month.
Addington is opening shows for Young, and has been added to this fall’s Blake Shelton & Friends Cruise. Check out video clips and music at www.brinleyaddington.com.
Smith is currently accepting song submissions for the project at artistconcepts@yahoo.com.
Jimmy Barret Inks Booking Agreement
/by FreemanSinger/songwriter Jimmy Barret has signed an agreement with William Morris Endeavor (WME) for booking representation. WME will also be overseeing Barret’s television, film, and sponsorship opportunities, with Rob Beckham and Braeden Rountree serving as the responsible agents.
Barret’s team is lead by former Sony Music Nashville Sr. VP Promotion Skip Bishop, who is also currently assisting promotion efforts for Blaster Entertainment’s Aaron Lewis. Producer Jay Joyce is working with Barret in the studio, and his single “Southern Places” will be released to country radio in summer.
(L-R): Braeden Rountree (WME), Barret, Rob Beckham (WME), Skip Bishop (B Major Music)
Audio Masters Golf Tournament Starts Tomorrow
/by MichelleThe event the primary fundraiser for the Nashville Engineer Relief Fund to aid live music engineers in the community experiencing medical or other life crisis situations. The event is a cooperative effort of the Audio Engineering Society Nashville Section and NERF, Inc.
Thursday, May 17 is the Live Sound Day, which features engineering friends in the Live Sound industry and is open to all. Friday, May 18 is the Studio Day, which focuses on the Recording Studio community. Both days will include a four person best ball tournament, breakfast and open driving range, and awards receptions following the golf, as well as an abundance of treats and beverages along the way.
For more information, click here.