Turntable.fm Signs Licenses With Majors

Social music site Turntable.fm now has licensing agreements in place with all four major entertainment companies, according to Billboard. The news was revealed at SXSW by Turntable.fm founders Billy Chasen and Seth Goldstein.

Last week, CNET reported that the service had inked EMI and was close to signing Universal and Sony, in addition to being in talks with Warner Music Group. With all four on board, it gives Turntable.fm a competitive edge in the digital discovery race. Adweek notes that Chasen’s future plans for Turntable.fm include bringing artists to the site and letting them serve as digital DJs, which could attract new users.

Turntable.fm debuted in June 2011, allowing friends to act as virtual DJs and play songs for one another. In July 2011, it finalized agreements with ASCAP and BMI. Its user base is reportedly small (176k unique visitors in February) compared to the million-plus users of Spotify and/or Pandora, but the site’s inherently social nature could mean numerous promotional opportunities for artists and labels.

ACM ZinePak Spotlights Nominees

The 47th Annual ACM Awards Spotlight ‘ZinePak will hit Walmart shelves on March 20. The limited-edition package includes a 20-song CD and 120-page magazine with exclusive artist interviews, profiles, and an inside look at the Academy.

With a $7 retail price, the package is available for pre-sale now at Walmart.com. Production is limited to fewer than 45,000 copies.

The 2011 inaugural ACM Awards ‘ZinePak release debuted at No. 19 on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart and sold more than 30,000 copies.

‘ZinePak track listing:

1. Taylor Swift “Mean”
2. Jason Aldean “My Kinda Party”
3. Kenny Chesney “Somewhere With You”
4. Brad Paisley “This Is Country Music”
5. Blake Shelton “Drink On It”
6. Reba “All The Women I Am”
7. Brantley Gilbert “Country Must Be Country Wide”
8. Hunter Hayes “Wanted”
9. Scotty Mccreery “You Make That Look Good”
10. JT Hodges “Goodbyes Made You Mine”
11. Justin Moore “Bait A Hook”
12. David Nail “Let It Rain”
13. Jerrod Niemann “What Do You Want”
14. Thompson Square “Who Loves Who More”
15. Katie Armiger “Cry Cry Cry”
16. Craig Campbell “When I Get It”
17. The Farm “Home Sweet Home”
18. Dustin Lynch “Hurricane”
19. Kip Moore “Faith When I Fall”
20. D. Vincent Williams “Down By The River”

In more news surrounding the April 1 Academy of Country Music Awards, several artist have been added to the ACM Experience. The free, open-to-the public country music lifestyle event runs March 30-April 1 as part of The Week Vegas Goes Country. Joining the ACM Experience are Thomas Rhett, Greg Bates, Edens Edge, Ira Dean, Andy Gibson, Kip Moore, Maggie Rose, Sonia Leigh, Darren Warren, Mallary Hope, Steel Magnolia, The Dirt Drifters, Gloriana, Canaan Smith, Morgan Frazier, Blackberry Smoke, Chris Janson, Levi Lowrey, David St. Romain, and LoCash Cowboys.

Brad Paisley Adds Virtual Reality Dates

After recently wrapping the first leg of his Virtual Reality World Tour, MusicRow‘s Artist of the Year Brad Paisley has announced 43 additional appearances in 2012.

Continuing on the tour will The Band Perry, Scotty McCreery and Easton Corbin with additional artists appearing on select dates to include Miranda Lambert, Chris Young and Jerrod Niemann.

Live Nation is the national tour promoter.

Virtual Reality World Tour 2012:
May 18 – Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre – St. Louis, MO
May 19 – Klipsch Music Center – Indianapolis, IN
May 20 – Riverbend Music Center – Cincinnati, OH
June 1 – Nikon Theatre – Jones Beach, NY*
June 2 – Comcast Theatre – Hartford, CT*
June 3 – Comcast Center – Boston, MA*
June 9 – Wrigley Field – Chicago, IL**
June 15 – Blossom Music Center – Cleveland, OH
June 16 – DTE Music Center – Detroit, MI
June 22 – Country USA Festival – Oshkosh, WI
June 23 – Chippewa Valley Country Festival – Cadott, WI
June 29 – Saratoga Performing Arts Center – Saratoga, NY
June 30 – Susquehanna Bank Center – Philadelphia, PA
July 14 – Calgary Stampede – Calgary, AB***
July 15 – Craven Country Jamboree – Craven, SK***
July 20 – Red Sky Music Festival – Omaha, NE***
July 21 – Cheyenne Frontier Days – Cheyenne, WY***
July 26 – Sleep Train Amphitheatre – Sacramento, CA*
July 27 – Shoreline Amphitheatre – Mountain View, CA*
July 28 – Harveys Lake Tahoe Outdoor Arena – Lake Tahoe, NV*
August 10 – Bethel Woods Pavilion – Bethel Woods, NY
August 11 – Darien Center – Darien Lakes, NY
August 12 – Walter Baker Park – Ottawa, ON****
August 16 – BOK Center – Tulsa, OK*
August 17 – TBD
August 18 – Gexa Energy Pavilion – Dallas, TX*
August 24 – Time Warner Cable Music Center – Raleigh, NC*
August 25 – Jiffy Lube Live – Washington, DC*
September 13 – Farm Bureau Live – Virginia Beach, VA
September 14 – Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre – Charlotte, NC
September 15 – Lakewood Amphitheatre – Atlanta, GA
September 27 – Jacksonville Arena – Jacksonville, FL
September 28 – 1-800-ASK GARY – Amphitheatre Tampa, FL
September 29 – Cruzan Amphitheater – West Palm Beach, FL
October 4 – Ford Center – Evansville, IN
October 5 – Nationwide Arena – Columbus, OH
October 6 – Giant Center – Hershey, PA
October 11 – Verizon Arena – Little Rock, AR
October 12 – CenturyTel Arena – Bossier City, LA
October 13 – New Orleans Arena – New Orleans, LA
October 17 – Ashley Furniture Home Store Pavilion – Phoenix, AZ
October 18 – Cricket Wireless Amphitheatre – San Diego, CA
October 20 – Hollywood Bowl – Los Angeles, CA

Support acts will be The Band Perry and Scotty McCreery – unless noted.
*The Band Perry and Easton Corbin
** Miranda Lambert, Chris Young, The Band Perry and Jerrod Niemann
*** The Band Perry only
****Brad only – festival date

Church Brings Blood, Sweat & Beers To The Masses

Photo: Jeff Mintline

Eric Church has long been a touring favorite, and his recent successes are helping take his live productions to exciting new places.

Tomorrow, his Blood Sweat & Beers Tour with Brantley Gilbert is playing a sold-out Hammerstein Ballroom in New York City, followed by stops in Binghamton, NY; Reading, PA, and Atlantic City, NJ. Just a few weeks away is Church’s May 19 show at the legendary Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Morrison, CO, which marked the artist’s 21st sold-out concert of this tour. Church will also preach to the hometown congregation May 5 when the tour hits Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena, and he’s been added to the lineup for BamaJam 2012 taking place June 14-16 in Enterprise, AL.

Blood, Sweat & Beers kicked off Jan. 19 in Fort Smith, AR and has been averaging 7,500 tickets sold per show. See full Church dates here.

In slightly more surreal lineups, Church is the only country artist scheduled to play the rock and metal friendly Orion Music + More festival June 23-24 at Bader Field in Atlantic City. The festival was created by Metallica, who will headline both nights and play their classic albums The Black Album and Ride The Lightning in their entirety. In addition to Church, other performers include Kentucky rockers Cage the Elephant, Memphis favorites Lucero, Suicidal Tendencies, Modest Mouse, The Gaslight Anthem, Titus Andronicus, The Sword, Liturgy, Black Tusk, Torche, Sepultura, and more. Info here.

Church will also return to late night television, when he performs on NBC’s Late Night With Jimmy Fallon Monday, March 19.

Laurel Kittleson Joins Big Machine

The Big Machine Label Group has announced Laurel Kittleson as A&R Coordinator, effective immediately.

Kittleson’s responsibilities including assisting with timelines, budgets, screening songs, and maintaining the master asset catalog for the label group’s roster, which includes Taylor Swift, Rascal Flatts, The Band Perry, Eli Young Band, Reba, and The Mavericks, among others. She will report directly to BMLG VP, A&R Allison Jones.

Previously, Kittleson served as Assistant for Show Dog-Universal Music President, Mark Wright. She was also previously personal assistant to Rivers Rutherford and spent time working with Elevation Music Publishing.

Kittelson replaces previous A&R Coordinator, Shea Fowler.

Congratulate her here.

HoriPro Inks Two Writers

HoriPro Entertainment Group has signed Michael Gresham and Jill Spencer to an exclusive co-publishing deal through Gresham and Spencer’s company Brand Music Group.

(L-R) standing: Butch Baker, Tim Stehli, Amy Hendon Scott, Lee Krabel, Dave Hall, Raeanna Mowl, Carrie Wilkins; seated: Jill Spencer, Michael Gresham

 

Hats Across The Row Parade to Benefit Minnie Pearl Foundation

Hats Across the Row, a benefit for The Minnie Pearl Cancer Foundation (MPCF), will be held Tues., April 17 at 3 p.m. on Music Row. The event includes a parade down 16th & 17th Aves. S. with Kerry Collins and his motorcycle gang, the Hillwood High School Marching Band, antique Mini Coopers, and an array of stilt walkers, hula-hoopers and Minnie Pearl look-a-likes. Festivities will conclude with a party at Major Bob Music (1111 17th Ave. S.).

The event launches a year of celebration for The Minnie Pearl Cancer Foundation, marking Minnie Pearl’s 100th birthday, and the organization’s 25 years of service.

Music Row businesses can support Hats Across the Row by placing signs in front of their offices. Signs are available for a $50 donation here.

The MPCF is also collecting “Minnie Moments.” The campaign features stories from the clients, survivors and caregivers who have used MPCF’s services, as well as memories from celebrities and fans of Minnie Pearl. Share a “Minnie Moment” here.

Artist Growth and BMI Partner to Aid Performing Artists

Music management app Artist Growth and BMI have announced a partnership to help musicians simplify the process of collecting performance royalties. BMI affiliates will now be able to register for royalties using any Artist Growth-equipped mobile device as soon as they finish playing a show.

BMI writers are being offered a free six-month trial of Artist Growth, which launched in Nashville in January 2012 with the goal of providing an entire toolkit for managing a music career. In coming months, BMI Live participants will be able to submit performances and set lists through Artist Growth as well.

“Artist Growth is an innovative new digital platform that presents exciting possibilities for BMI performing songwriters to manage and organize their schedules and tour support,” said Jody Williams, BMI VP Writer/Publisher Relations. “We look forward to offering access to Artist Growth to all BMI-affiliated writers, and working closely with their team to offer greater digital integration with BMI’s groundbreaking BMI Live program.”

During SXSW, Artist Growth also announced partnerships with CD Baby, Americana Music Association, PledgeMusic, Folk Alliance, NYU Steinhardt’s Music Business Program, Belmont University and more.

Swift Tops “Money Makers” List

Touring was a big boost to the bottom line for artists including Taylor Swift.

Taylor Swift leads Billboard’s 2012 list of “Top 40 Money Makers.” The blonde superstar made about $35.7 million last year according to the magazine’s estimates, more than any other act in any genre. U2 followed closely with earnings of about $32 million, and Kenny Chesney‘s $29.8 million landed him at No. 3 on the list. Country artists scored 11 of the 40 slots.

The data is based on net U.S. income from touring, sales, and publishing. Not included is income from sponsorships, merch, or synch deals. See the complete list and more on the methodology here.

By comparison, similar rankings from Forbes magazine include sponsorship and endorsement deals and are based on gross income. See those here.

Billboard’s Country Money Makers
1. Taylor Swift, $35.7 million
2. U2, $32.1 million
3. Kenny Chesney, $29.8 million
9. Jason Aldean, $13.4 million
15. Toby Keith, $10.4 million
18. Rascal Flatts, $9.6 million
19. Tim McGraw, $9.3 million
21. Brad Paisley, $8.6 million
26. Lady Antebellum, $6.7 million
27. Keith Urban, $6.6 million
34. Sugarland, $5.6 million

IBMA Announces 2012 Leadership Bluegrass Graduates

The International Bluegrass Music Association's 13th Leadership Bluegrass class at Bone McAllester Norton on March 10, 2012. L-R: (Row 1) Ronnie Norton, Denise Hitchcock, Sharon White, Jamie Katz, Sonya Cotton, Jimmy Bowen, Laurie Dashper, Casey Campbell. (Row 2) Russell Johnson, Martha Stracener Dantzic, Kimberly Williams, Rick Lang, Jennifer Strickland, Lisa Jacobi, Denise Jarvinen; (Row 3) Bob Altschuler, Gene Skinner, Claire Lynch, Daniel Routh, Tony Watt, Ross Pomerenk. (Row 4) Gerald Jones, Michael McLain, Chris Teskey, Chris Oliver. Photo: Stephanie Taylor

The International Bluegrass Music Association has announced the 2012 graduating class of Leadership Bluegrass.

Leadership Bluegrass, now in its 13th year with more than 300 alumni, is a three-day program that examines the challenges and opportunities facing the music. Related leadership issues and networking experiences are also available.

This year, Leadership Bluegrass was facilitated by Trisha Tubbs and hosted at Nashville’s BMI and Bone McAllester Norton PLLC, March 8-10. Individuals selected to participate in the program represent a cross section of the global industry. For information on the next Leadership Bluegrass class, contact Nancy Cardwell.

Leadership Bluegrass Class of 2012:

Bob Altschuler; Dyer Switch Band, Thirteen Feet of Bluegrass, Educator
Jimmy Bowen; Jimmy Bowen & Santa Fe
Casey Campbell; Belmont University student/Musician
Sonya Robles Cotton; The Louisville Bluegrass Music Association
Martha Stracener Dantzic; Quicksilver Productions
Laurie Dashper; Music City Roots, Bluegrass Underground
Denise Hitchcock; BlueHighways TV
Lisa Jacobi; Steel String Session, Lisa Affordable Websites
Denise Jarvinen; Boston Bluegrass Union, Traditional Music Foundation
Russell Johnson; Grass Cats, Red Sock Publishing, The Comfort Zone Recording Studio, New Time Records
Gerald Jones; AcousticMusicCamp.com
Jamie Katz; PineCone, The Piedmont Council of Traditional Music, Inc
Rick Lang; Haley Anna Music, BMI
Claire Lynch; The Claire Lynch Band
Michael McLain; Belmont University
Ronnie Norton; Lonesome Highway
Chris Oliver; Infinity Luthiers
Ross Pomerenk; Acoustic Sound/ Wintergrass
Daniel Routh; Nu-Blu, Red Squared Audio
Gene Skinner; Great Stuff Radio Network
Jennifer Strickland; Jenny Lynn Publishing, Rural Rhythm Records
Chris Teskey; WAMU’s Bluegrass Country
Tony Watt; TheBluegrassUniversity.com, Boston Bluegrass Union
Sharon White; The Whites
Kimberly Williams; East Public Relations, The Expedition Show