Sugarland's Jennifer Nettles
Nettles, Clarkson and Richie Headed to ABC
Sugarland’s Jennifer Nettles, Kelly Clarkson, Lionel Richie and Robin Thicke have been announced the headliners for a new music competition show called Duets. The series, which debuts on ABC this summer, distinguishes itself by allowing contestants to sing with the stars.
Clarkson, Nettles, Richie and Thicke will individually journey across America looking for undiscovered talent. Ultimately, each star will choose two singers to be his/her duet partners. Each week the pro’s will take the stage with their protégés to perform together in front of a live studio audience. The winning contestant will receive a recording contract with Hollywood Records.
“The concept of Duets is so fresh because it’s mentoring is active and participatory,” said Nettles. “Most of my greatest learning was from singing and playing with other performers throughout my life and career. To have had the opportunity to perform with an established artist would have been so incredible when I was up and coming.”
“The simple fact that I get to go out and find two people that I believe in, sing with them every week and help them accomplish their dream is an amazing thing that I can’t wait to be a part of!” said Clarkson.
Amateur singers interested in auditioning can apply online at: www.ABC.com/Casting. For a sneak peek of the show, click here.
Duets is a production of Keep Calm and Carry On Productions. Robert Deaton is executive producer. Charles Wachter is the co-executive producer.
• • • •
John Rich on the CW
The CW Network has ordered a new reality series for summer 2012 called The Star Next Door. So far, John Rich and Gloria Estefan have been secured as celebrity mentors.
The Star Next Door will search nationwide to find undiscovered local talent and prepare them to represent their home city on the national stage.
The Star Next Door is produced by CBS’ Raquel Productions, 25/7 Productions and Flavor Unit Entertainment, with Dave Broome (The Biggest Loser) and Queen Latifah as an executive producer.
Additional mentors, host and premiere dates will be announced at a later time.
NRA Country/ACM Celebrity Shoot Returns To Vegas
/by Caitlin Rantala“The Academy is thrilled to continue this partnership with Blake and NRA Country,” said Bob Romeo, CEO of the Academy of Country Music. “Many traditions and values are shared among the country music and outdoor enthusiast communities – today we get to have a little fun together while paying our respects to the men and women of our armed forces at the same time.”
The NRA Country/ACM Celebrity Shoot is a two course, 10 station, 40 target sporting clays competition for 20 teams of five shooters – including a celebrity captain – with prizes going to the top team and top celebrity shooter. The event, emceed by Storme Warren, will take place at the Desert Hills Shooting Club and will include celebrity participants Lee Brice, Craig Campbell, Cowboy Troy, Ira Dean, Edens Edge, Craig Morgan, Jake Owen, Thomas Rhett, Outdoor Channel’s Lee & Tiffany Lakosky and Nick Mundt, TNA Impact Wrestling stars Jeff Hardy and James Storm, and more. The event will benefit the Wounded Warrior Project, The Folds of Honor Foundation and the Nellis Air Force Base Youth Programs.
Chesney Makes Donation To Coastal Conservation Association
/by Freeman(L-R): Coastal Conservation Association President Pat Murray, Chesney, Costa Sunglasses Marketing Manager Amanda Perryman, AbiJack Management CEO Brett Palmer
Kenny Chesney and Costa Sunglasses recently presented a check for $50,000 to benefit the Coastal Conservation Association. Funds were raised through sales of the Kenny Chesney Limited Edition Costa Sunglasses available during Chesney’s massive Goin’ Coastal tour in 2011.
In other Chesney news, the superstar recently scored his 23rd No. 1 single on the monitored airplay charts with “Reality.” Chesney wrote the song with Brett James and says the idea started when he was in a dentist’s chair.
He says, “I was lying in the chair, I had the mask on, you know, where they give you that funny gas, so they can work on your mouth without you feeling it, and I remember thinking, ‘Wow, I haven’t been this relaxed in a long time.’ That was my escape from reality and that’s what the song is about. And when people come to our shows, they’re not thinking about what’s going on in their job or school, they’re having fun, escaping reality and I’m glad to be a part of that.” Fans will have even more opportunities to escape starting June 2012, when Chesney and Tim McGraw join together for The Brothers of the Sun Tour, with special guests Grace Potter & the Nocturnals and Jake Owen.
Photo Friday (3/09/12)
/by Michelle“Longnecks and Rednecks,” the entrance music for TNA Impact Wrestling star Cowboy James Storm, is being released to country radio. The song is performed by TNA Knockout Music Vice President Serg Salinas and the song’s music video features Montgomery Gentry, Cowboy Troy and Sean Patrick McGraw.
This is the first time TNA Knockout Music has serviced a song to country radio. “The response to this song has been so overwhelming and fits James’ persona so perfectly, we felt like releasing it as a single and shooting a music video was a great way to expose James in a different way,” said TNA President Dixie Carter. “Having Montgomery Gentry, Cowboy Troy and Sean Patrick McGraw join us in the video truly made it a party.”
(L-R): Eddie Montgomery from Montgomery Gentry, Impact Superstar James Storm, TNA Impact Wrestling President Dixie Carter, Troy Gentry from Montgomery Gentry and Cowboy Troy
• • • •
Country artist John Carter hosted and performed at the advance screening of the Disney film, John Carter on March 1 at Regal Green Hills Stadium 16. Before the screening, Carter performed his new single, “Beer Money,” and introduced the film to the audience. Carter is a former Marine Corps helicopter mechanic who manned the 50-caliber machine gun before beginning his singing career.
Based on a novel by Edgar Rice Burroughs, John Carter the film tells the story of former military captain John Carter (Taylor Kitsch) who is transported to Mars and becomes involved in a conflict amongst its inhabitants, including Tars Tarkas (Willem Dafoe) and Princess Dejah Thoris (Lynn Collins). The film reportedly hits theaters tonight (March 9).
John Carter with fans at the "John Carter" advance screening
Latocki Team Creative Launches Team Design Labs
/by Eric T. ParkerTeam Design Labs was created specifically with small business owners and recording artists in mind. Half-day or full-day appointments are available.
“Being an entrepreneur myself, it’s important to me to find ways to help other entrepreneurs see their dreams come true,” says Luellyn Latocki Hensley, Owner. “So far I’ve witnessed new company logos be developed in a day, which is very cost effective & efficient for a start-up company.”
For rates and more information, check the Team Design Labs website.
AirPlay Direct Promotes Michael Harnett
/by Caitlin Rantala“I am honored and privileged to be working with Michael. He is a talented executive that has proven over and over again to be a powerful asset to our company,” says Robert Weingartz, Chairman and CEO of AirPlay Direct. “We had a great rebuilding year at AirPlay Direct in 2011 and I am confident that with Michael in the position of President we can expect continued advancements through 2012.”
Harnett’s 25 years of experience includes building Made in Heaven Entertainment and serving as a senior business development executive at Launch Media, Remix Galaxy, Zymeta and Starcast Networks. Harnett has worked with artists such as Tina Turner, Prince, Radiohead, Smashing Pumpkins, Flaming Lips, Rage Against the Machine, and Midnight Oil.
Congratulate him at Michael@airplaydirect.com.
SESAC Changes Royalty Distribution Model
/by Freeman“We are proud to provide this accommodation to our affiliates and to continue SESAC’s legacy of providing the best level of service to songwriters and music publishers,” said Pat Collins, SESAC President and Chief Operating Officer.
Always a proponent of technology, SESAC uses BDS tracking to monitor radio airplay for accurate payments and has also implemented fingerprinting technology in its survey and distribution systems.
Keen, Lovett, and Van Zandt Inducted to TxHSA Hall of Fame
/by Eric T. Parker(L-R) Lyle Lovett, Steve Earle and Robert Earl Keen performing at the 2012 Texas Heritage Songwriters Hall of Fame Awards Show. Photo: Jenny Hartgrove
The Texas Heritage Songwriters Association held its 7th Annual Hall of Fame Awards Show March 4 at Austin City Limits Live at Moody Theater in downtown Austin. This year’s honorees included beloved singer/songwriters Lyle Lovett, Robert Earl Keen and the late Townes Van Zandt. Keen and Lovett performed at the show, along with Steve Earle and other Texas artists.
The Awards Show is part of a two-day celebration which coincides with Texas’ Independence Day. On March 3, a private homecoming party was held at the Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum with performances by Bob DiPiero, Jeffrey Steele and David Lee Murphy.
As an ongoing supporter of the Health Alliance for Austin Musicians, The Texas Heritage Songwriters Association donated five dollars of every ticket sold directly to the organization, which provides access to affordable health care for Austin’s low income, uninsured musicians.
Past honorees and performers include Willie Nelson, Guy Clark, Clint Black, Allen Shamblin, Gary Nicholson, Bruce Channel, Red Steagall, Lee Roy Parnell, Mac Davis, Larry Gatlin and Kris Kristofferson.
L-R: David Lee Murphy, Jeffrey Steele, Jody Williams, Bob DiPiero. Photo: Rick Henson
ASCAP Reports Increased Revenues
/by FreemanForeign collections played an important role by bringing in $347 million, a $50 million increase from 2010. “The demand for ASCAP’s repertory across all genres of music is enormous and growing by leaps and bounds, both domestically and abroad,” commented ASCAP President and Chairman Paul Williams. “A major driver of our revenue growth in 2011 was the popularity of our members’ music abroad, leading to the highest-ever foreign collections bolstered by an advantageous foreign exchange rate. As songwriters and composers, we depend on the efficiencies of ASCAP to manage our performing rights in a rapidly changing global economy. ASCAP’s advocacy throughout the world is an important factor in ensuring fair treatment and compensation for songwriters and composers of every kind of music.”
Total distribution to the organization’s 400,000-plus songwriter members was down slightly, from $845 million in 2010, to $824 million in 2011. Its operating expense ratio was 11.9%, down two percent from 2010.
Providing a stable future for songwriter members is one of the organization’s key goal, and it has negotiated multi-year licenses with Sirius/XM, HBO, Viacom and the radio industry. The radio agreement includes a return to a revenue-based fee structure as radio broadens its revenue base through new delivery mechanisms.
In 2011, ASCAP developed a new organizational structure by consolidating some areas and expanding the Membership, Licensing, and International departments. EVP, Membership Randy Grimmet was promoted to oversee the membership department. Nashville-based Vincent Candilora, formerly SVP, was elevated to EVP, Licensing. London-based Roger Greenaway was promoted to EVP, International, from his previous role of SVP.
• • • • •
Earlier in the week ASCAP Nashville unveiled its new Music Lounge, a cozy and stylish performance/meeting room on the third floor that previously served as executive office space. Singer/songwriters Whitney Duncan and Jonathan Singleton christened the room with a selection of their songs, and guests were treated to a catered lunch.
Whitney Duncan and Jonathan Singleton performing at the ASCAP Nashville Music Lounge.
CountryBreakout No. 1 Song
/by FreemanTaylor Swift’s “Ours” seems to fall in that last category, though it might be its own animal in that it’s a Bonus Track from the Target exclusive version of Swift’s album Speak Now. Regardless of origin, “Ours” is still a smash and it’s now the new CountryBreakout Chart No. 1 song. The lyrics are classic Swift: us-against-the-world romance that shines optimistically in spite the naysayers. Country fans got to see an intimate rendering of the tune at the 2011 CMA Awards, when Swift performed it live.
Swift recently played the 100th show of her globe-trotting Speak Now World Tour at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre in Australia. She is also currently nominated for ACM Awards for Entertainer of the Year, Female Vocalist of the Year and Video of the Year. Additionally, Swift lent her voice-over talents to Disney’s The Lorax, which opened at No. 1 last weekend and scored the biggest box office debut so far in 2012.
Nashville Artists Joining Summer TV Competitions
/by Eric T. ParkerSugarland's Jennifer Nettles
Nettles, Clarkson and Richie Headed to ABC
Sugarland’s Jennifer Nettles, Kelly Clarkson, Lionel Richie and Robin Thicke have been announced the headliners for a new music competition show called Duets. The series, which debuts on ABC this summer, distinguishes itself by allowing contestants to sing with the stars.
Clarkson, Nettles, Richie and Thicke will individually journey across America looking for undiscovered talent. Ultimately, each star will choose two singers to be his/her duet partners. Each week the pro’s will take the stage with their protégés to perform together in front of a live studio audience. The winning contestant will receive a recording contract with Hollywood Records.
“The concept of Duets is so fresh because it’s mentoring is active and participatory,” said Nettles. “Most of my greatest learning was from singing and playing with other performers throughout my life and career. To have had the opportunity to perform with an established artist would have been so incredible when I was up and coming.”
“The simple fact that I get to go out and find two people that I believe in, sing with them every week and help them accomplish their dream is an amazing thing that I can’t wait to be a part of!” said Clarkson.
Amateur singers interested in auditioning can apply online at: www.ABC.com/Casting. For a sneak peek of the show, click here.
Duets is a production of Keep Calm and Carry On Productions. Robert Deaton is executive producer. Charles Wachter is the co-executive producer.
• • • •
John Rich on the CW
The CW Network has ordered a new reality series for summer 2012 called The Star Next Door. So far, John Rich and Gloria Estefan have been secured as celebrity mentors.
The Star Next Door will search nationwide to find undiscovered local talent and prepare them to represent their home city on the national stage.
The Star Next Door is produced by CBS’ Raquel Productions, 25/7 Productions and Flavor Unit Entertainment, with Dave Broome (The Biggest Loser) and Queen Latifah as an executive producer.
Additional mentors, host and premiere dates will be announced at a later time.