Two years ago entrepreneurs Chris Cobb and Josh Billue set out to fill a void in Nashville’s live music landscape. They knew the town needed a mid-size establishment to attract touring artists who often skipped Music City because there wasn’t a venue of the right size and style.
In November 2011, they opened Marathon Music Works, with a standing capacity of 1500, as well as permanently installed sound equipment, lighting, and two large bars.
“There was a hole in the Nashville market for a long time,” explained Cobb during a recent interview at Marathon. “Years back, 328 Performance Hall was a similar size and capacity, but after we lost that the market was without a mid-size venue for several years. Then City Hall opened, had a three year run, and then it was gone. [In the current market] The Cannery has a 1000 cap, and War Memorial can hold 1800, but it’s not a club-style facility.”
The owners’ lengthy hunt for the right space eventually led them to an empty warehouse in burgeoning Marathon Village. It was Cobb’s first foray into club ownership and the first time Billue—owner of Nashville’s Exit/In and Birmingham’s Zydeco—had built anything from the ground up.
Several months of remodeling transformed the space into a facility that hosts concerts, corporate events, wedding receptions, and video/TV shoots, such as GAC’s recent ACM New Artist of the Year taping.
Because the room is used for all types of events, no signage or branding is on display. Instead, the owners sold naming rights for the three artist dressing rooms, with Gibson Guitar claiming one and Blackbird Tattoo sponsoring another.
“We’re an open facility. That means any [outside promoter] can come in and do an event here,” Cobb explained. “In theory, the more shows we get, the more shows Nashville gets, particularly artists who might not have played the market otherwise.”
Cobb’s initial experience in live music came more than ten years ago when he was a Belmont University student, booking talent for a concert series in the parking lot of Jackson’s restaurant. “I built relationships with agents, and eventually went on to Windows On The Cumberland and Mercy Lounge,” he recalled. His career grew, including work as an independent promoter, talent buyer and production tech. With that background, he’s seen first-hand how the economic downturn of recent years has affected the live music industry, as fans have less discretionary income to spend on concert tickets.
“It’s getting harder and harder for independent promoters,” Cobb said. “Back when I started doing it, there were only about three independent promoters in Nashville, and we did a lot of the club-level shows. In the past five years, there has been a huge shift in the industry. There are a lot fewer artists who can sell the really big touring numbers. As a result, the [major] promoters have started doing more shows in the club world. It is pretty standard that a big promoter might do a show at a 1500 cap venue, but majors are also doing the 200-300 level now. Five years ago, that would have never happened. It has made it really hard for the independent promoters to survive.”
Cobb continues to promote shows at Marathon and other venues, but he also focuses on diversification. The Dallas native does production work for Luke Bryan’s Farm Tour and the CMA Music Festival. He buys talent for the Live On The Green concert series and the Nashville Earth Day Festival. A few years ago he also purchased casino tables which his company sets up and operates for private events.
Meanwhile, at Marathon Music Works, Cobb and his cohorts are grateful for the community’s support and want to reciprocate. They promote recycling, encourage fans to bring charitable donations to concerts, and let the community name the venue. Marathon also partnered with inner-city ministry Provision International, which staffs the event parking lots in exchange for the proceeds. “The local support has been so positive and overwhelming,” summed Cobb. “So thank you Nashville.”
Signings: Southern Crossroads, Big Ride, and More
/by FreemanSongwriter Greg Becker has signed a publishing deal with Pat Finch and Southern Crossroads Music Publishing. His songs have sold more than 20 million units worldwide and have been recorded by Carrie Underwood, LeAnn Rimes, Rascal Flatts, and Meatloaf.
Southern Crossroads also signed songwriter Ann Marie, who moved to Nashville at the age of 19 to pursue her musical career. She has begun sharing her music with a larger audience, including opening for Dierks Bentley, Josh Turner, Thompson Square and more.
(L-R): ASCAP's LeAnn Phelan, Greg Becker, Southern Crossroads Music Publishing's Pat Finch, ASCAP's Mike Sistad. Photo: Anna Maki
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Big Ride Entertainment has announced the signing of Texas-born country artist Craig Wayne Boyd for label services and management. The company will also soon release Boyd’s debut single “I Ain’t No Quitter” to country radio.
“We are very pleased with the addition of Craig to our label. After seeing Craig live, we knew he was a perfect fit for what we are doing at Big Ride,” says Big Ride Records President Kim Leiske.
(L-R) Seated: Wayne Halper, Craig Wayne Boyd, GrassRoots Promotion's Teresa Johnston, Jerry Duncan Promotions' Jerry Duncan; Standing: Big Ride's Jake Leiske and Kim Leiske, Jerry Duncan Promotions' Lisa Smoot. Photo: revolution PR
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(L-R): Russell, Cupit Records Sr. VP Dan Hagar
Cupit Records has signed Dave Russell, and is releasing his new single “Where The Money Goes” to radio.
Benefit News (3/07/12)
/by Freeman(L-R): Exile’s Steve Goetzman, Marlon Hargis, J.P. Pennington, Sonny Lemaire, GAC’s Nan Kelley, Wade Hayes, Exile’s Les Taylor, Charlie Kelley
Exile headlined The Stars Go Blue For Colon Cancer benefit, held last night (March 6) at the Country Music Hall of Fame’s Ford Theater. Trace Adkins joined the band on their hit “Kiss You All Over,” and Wade Hayes joined them for “Super Love.” Hayes is currently undergoing treatment for stage IV colon cancer and received a standing ovation before chatting honestly with the crowd about his health. Money raised from the event benefits The Blue Note Fund, which provides financial assistance to those going through treatment.
• • • • • •
(L-R): Marv Green, Kendell Marvel, Heidi Newfield, Leslie Satcher. Photo: Alan Mayor
Music City Tennis Invitational hosted its pre-tournament songwriter showcase with performers Marv Green, Kendell Marvel, Heidi Newfield, and Leslie Satcher at the Bluebird Cafe on March 2. The benefit concert is a kick-off for the 39th Annual MCTI benefiting the Center for Child Development at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt. MCTI 2012 will be held April 21-22 at the Brownlee O. Currey Jr. Tennis Center at Vanderbilt.
Cumulus to Distribute CMT Radio Live
/by Freeman“John and the Cumulus army have been our partners with CMT Radio Live With Cody Alan from the beginning,” said Philips. “They have given us essential affiliate support since show number one. Expanding our relationship with their rapidly-escalating empire is a logical step for this high-profile show!”
CMT Radio Live With Cody Alan airs weeknights from 7 pm – 12 am ET and on weekends for selection stations. Hosted by 2010 ACM national on-air personality winner Cody Alan, the program features a mix of new and classic country hits as well as exclusive interviews and event coverage.
Charlie Lamb Passes [Updated w/ Arrangements]
/by Sarah SkatesFormer CMA Executive Director Ed Benson (l) presents Charlie Lamb (r) with a plaque during a ceremony at BMI on Aug. 29, 2000. More than 300 people turned out to celebrate Lamb's career at the event called "A Tribute To Charlie." Photo: Alan Mayor
Nashville music industry stalwart Charlie Lamb died in the early morning hours of March 7, 2012. He was 90 and had been battling pneumonia. Lamb was a celebrated journalist who also worked as a manager and later as an entertainer.
Born June 21, 1921, Charles Stacy Lamb’s colorful career began in hometown Knoxville, Tennessee, where he was a carnival barker—it came naturally, his mother was a trapeze artist and his father was a magician, ventriloquist and animal trainer. As a young man Lamb went on to work as a military policeman during the 1940s, and entered the worlds of journalism and music business via jobs at the Knoxville Journal and radio stations WKGN and WROL.
In 1951 Lamb moved to Nashville and began writing for Cash Box magazine. He went on to found the first Nashville-based trade publication, Music Reporter, known for establishing an all-genre top 100 chart, the first country album chart, and utilizing bullets to indicated quickly rising singles. The magazine shuttered in 1964. A year later, the liner notes he penned for Father & Son—Hank Williams Sr. & Jr. earned a Grammy nomination. Today his writing is celebrated with a journalism award named in his honor, which is presented annually at the International Country Music Conference.
“When somebody like Charlie Lamb passes, it’s like a library burning down,” said longtime friend and fellow historian Robert Oermann. “He was a wonderful source of historical anecdotes and one of the most charming conversationalists I’ve ever met. Charlie was also one of the last of the great Music Row ‘characters’—they don’t make execs nearly as colorful nowadays. He was also a million laughs, and I’m going to miss our lunches together a whole lot.”
“He was probably the midwife at Nashville’s birth as a major recording center,” Brenda Lee once proclaimed.
According to the Encyclopedia of Country Music, his varied journey included management of Ed Bruce and Connie Smith, and work with Kitty Wells, Elvis Presley, and Bill Anderson.
“Charlie took my original TNT Record of ‘City Lights’ to Chet Atkins at RCA simply because he liked the song and believed it was a hit,” Anderson recalled. “Chet cut it with an artist named Dave Rich. Ray Price heard Dave Rich’s record on the radio, and I guess the rest is history. I’ve often wondered what my life would have been like had it not been for Charlie Lamb. He opened the first door in Nashville for me. Rest in peace, my friend….and thanks.”
Lamb was an active supporter of Nashville’s music trade organizations. He was a member of the original boards of the Gospel Music Association, and the Country Music Association, and was a lifetime member of the latter. He also served as the first president of the Nashville chapter of NARAS.
He was an actor and entertainer known for his “double-talk” style, and appeared on television shows including Candid Camera, and in films including Ernest Goes To Jail.
MusicRow sends condolences to the Lambs, as this is the second death in the family in recent months. Charlie Lamb’s son Gary Lamb passed away Nov. 21 at age 63. Both were preceded in death by wife and mother, respectively, Frances A. Lamb.
Luke Bryan’s “I Don’t Want This Night to End” No. 1 Party
/by Eric T. ParkerL-R: Clay Bradley (BMI), Ben Vaughn (EMI Music Publishing), Troy Tomlinson (Sony/ATV), BJ Hill (Warner/Chappell), co-writer Rhett Akins, Luke Bryan, co-writers Dallas Davidson and Ben Hayslip, Mike Dungan (Capitol Nashville), Michael Martin (ASCAP), Rusty Gaston (This Music), and producer Jeff Stevens. Photo: Eric England
Music industry professionals recently celebrated Luke Bryan’s No. 1 hit “I Don’t Want This Night To End” with a party at Hillsboro Village hang Cabana. Bryan co-wrote the chart-topper, his third No. 1 overall, with hit songwriting trio the Peach Pickers (Dallas Davidson, Rhett Akins, and Ben Hayslip).
Additionally, Bryan released Spring Break 4…Suntan City, his fourth Spring Break-themed EP on Tuesday, March 6. The EP features original songs not found on Bryan’s other albums, including the title cut which Bryan wrote with the Peach Pickers. Next week, Bryan will journey to Spinnaker’s Beach Club in Panama City, Fl., where he will perform concerts March 13 and 14 for Spring Break revelers.
Country Artists Gather For Autism Sings! Benefit
/by FreemanPerformers include Ty Herndon, Bucky Covington, Bo Bice, Carter’s Chord, and Mockingbird Sun. Also performing is 13-year-old Katie Chance, who was diagnosed on the autism spectrum when she was two. CMT Top 20 Countdown host Evan Farmer is emceeing the event, which will benefit efforts at Vanderbilt Kennedy Center for Autism Research.
“We are thrilled with our fantastic lineup of musicians, whose talent is only overshadowed by their generosity and support of such an important cause,” says Autism Speaks Regional Director, Kathy Streng. “For only $5, people can see a great night of music and help fund critical research for the one in every 110 children diagnosed with autism. We are very grateful for the continued outpouring of caring and generous support from this wonderful community.”
Advance tickets to the show have sold out, but a limited amount of tickets will be available at the door for a $5 minimum donation. Doors open to the public at 7 pm.
Lazy Sales For Week Ended 3/4/12
/by bossrossAlbums
Not a lot to report during this lazy-sales past week ended 3/4/12. Just 20k units was enough to put Lady Antebellum atop the Country album chart for the third consecutive time. In fact, the entire top 75 current country album list couldn’t reach a total of 301k units for the week!
Craig Morgan’s This Ole Boy debuted at No. 5 with sales just over 12k and Lyle Lovett debuted at No. 9 with sales of 10k.
Country album sales YTD are up a narrow 1.9%. The percentage of country album sales in digital format continues to circle near the 25% level (24.2% this week) compared with last year at this time when it was 20%.
Upcoming March releases include a second Luke Bryan offering, plus projects from Casey James and Lionel Richie. (See the complete list here.)
All genre album sales are up 2.9% just a little more than country. 37% of all albums purchased are in the digital format.
Tracks
“Good Girl” from Carrie Underwood rides in at No. 1 for the second consecutive week on Digital Genre Country tracks chart. Fans downloaded another 119k units of the song this week, up from 107k. The second big seller on the Tracks list was Miranda’s “Over You,” downloaded over 51k times. Total country tracks sold YTD equals 28.798 million.
Kay West To Speak at Rising Women on the Row Breakfast
/by Eric T. ParkerMusicRow is pleased to announce revered journalist Kay West as guest speaker at the Rising Women on the Row Breakfast.
As a longtime advocate for women’s rights, West recently explored the subject of female executives in the music business for an in-depth article in the Nashville Post.
With a career spanning more than 30 years, her work includes articles for People magazine, the Nashville Scene, and numerous other outlets. She entered the magazine industry as a receptionist at Penthouse in New York City—a job she scored just two days after moving from her hometown, Wilmington, Delaware. Eventually, West worked her way up to Associate Editor of the publication, and began freelancing for Soho Weekly News.
West moved to Nashville when former New York record label execs Joe Galante and Randy Goodman recruited her to serve as Director of Publicity for their new home at RCA Nashville. She settled in Music City, where she would go on to raise her children, Joy and Harry.
She has written five books: How To Raise a Gentleman, How To Raise a Lady and 50 Things Every Young Lady Should Know, part of the Gentlemanners series for Thomas Nelson; Around The Opry Table: A Feast of Recipes and Stories from the Grand Ole Opry; and Dani’s Story: A Journey From Neglect to Love.
She has served on the board of Nashville CARES and The Nashville Farmer’s Market, volunteers regularly with Magdalene and Room in the Inn, and has chaired numerous fundraisers.
MusicRow founded Rising Women on the Row to encourage, support and motivate females in the Nashville music business. Honors will be presented to Mary Hilliard Harrington, Shannan Hatch, Heather McBee, Denise Stevens and Carla Wallace at a private sit-down breakfast and ceremony set for Friday, March 16, 2012, 8:30 a.m. at Maggiano’s Little Italy. Due to high demand, no additional tickets are available at this time. To be put on a waiting list, email tickets@musicrow.com.
NPD Cites Music Upswing; Less Piracy And Online Radio Growth
/by bossrossRecent years have seen sharp declines in music sales—falling prices and a digital marketplace that had stopped growing—but 2011 saw track sales grow 4% while CD sales showed less declines than in past years.
NPD finds that, “The total number of CD music buyers increased for the second consecutive year, growing 2 percent to 78 million.” They speculate this happened due to several reasons—
1.) Consumer perception that music is now a better value;
2.) They are better informed about what is available, and/or;
3.) Consumers now have “a wider variety of sources to discover new music” such as Pandora and Spotify.
“CDs are the gift that keep giving, which proves that even in an increasingly digital age, consumers will respond to quality content and strong perceived value, even if it comes in a physical package,” said Russ Crupnick, Sr. VP of Industry Analysis at NPD. “The CD still has a powerful attraction for both older, mainstream consumers who listen in their cars, as well as to super fans who enjoy owning the package and assortment of songs from their favorite artists.”
Additional Factoids
NPD’s “Annual Music Study” is based on 5,799 completed online surveys of U.S. consumers age 13 and older conducted between Dec. 14, 2011 and Jan.
Marathon Music Works Fills Void In Music City Landscape
/by Sarah SkatesIn November 2011, they opened Marathon Music Works, with a standing capacity of 1500, as well as permanently installed sound equipment, lighting, and two large bars.
“There was a hole in the Nashville market for a long time,” explained Cobb during a recent interview at Marathon. “Years back, 328 Performance Hall was a similar size and capacity, but after we lost that the market was without a mid-size venue for several years. Then City Hall opened, had a three year run, and then it was gone. [In the current market] The Cannery has a 1000 cap, and War Memorial can hold 1800, but it’s not a club-style facility.”
The owners’ lengthy hunt for the right space eventually led them to an empty warehouse in burgeoning Marathon Village. It was Cobb’s first foray into club ownership and the first time Billue—owner of Nashville’s Exit/In and Birmingham’s Zydeco—had built anything from the ground up.
Several months of remodeling transformed the space into a facility that hosts concerts, corporate events, wedding receptions, and video/TV shoots, such as GAC’s recent ACM New Artist of the Year taping.
Because the room is used for all types of events, no signage or branding is on display. Instead, the owners sold naming rights for the three artist dressing rooms, with Gibson Guitar claiming one and Blackbird Tattoo sponsoring another.
“We’re an open facility. That means any [outside promoter] can come in and do an event here,” Cobb explained. “In theory, the more shows we get, the more shows Nashville gets, particularly artists who might not have played the market otherwise.”
Cobb’s initial experience in live music came more than ten years ago when he was a Belmont University student, booking talent for a concert series in the parking lot of Jackson’s restaurant. “I built relationships with agents, and eventually went on to Windows On The Cumberland and Mercy Lounge,” he recalled. His career grew, including work as an independent promoter, talent buyer and production tech. With that background, he’s seen first-hand how the economic downturn of recent years has affected the live music industry, as fans have less discretionary income to spend on concert tickets.
“It’s getting harder and harder for independent promoters,” Cobb said. “Back when I started doing it, there were only about three independent promoters in Nashville, and we did a lot of the club-level shows. In the past five years, there has been a huge shift in the industry. There are a lot fewer artists who can sell the really big touring numbers. As a result, the [major] promoters have started doing more shows in the club world. It is pretty standard that a big promoter might do a show at a 1500 cap venue, but majors are also doing the 200-300 level now. Five years ago, that would have never happened. It has made it really hard for the independent promoters to survive.”
Cobb continues to promote shows at Marathon and other venues, but he also focuses on diversification. The Dallas native does production work for Luke Bryan’s Farm Tour and the CMA Music Festival. He buys talent for the Live On The Green concert series and the Nashville Earth Day Festival. A few years ago he also purchased casino tables which his company sets up and operates for private events.
Meanwhile, at Marathon Music Works, Cobb and his cohorts are grateful for the community’s support and want to reciprocate. They promote recycling, encourage fans to bring charitable donations to concerts, and let the community name the venue. Marathon also partnered with inner-city ministry Provision International, which staffs the event parking lots in exchange for the proceeds. “The local support has been so positive and overwhelming,” summed Cobb. “So thank you Nashville.”