Phillip Thomas and Joanna Smith
I love it when the underdog wins.
Despite the presence of legendary Johnny Bush, superstar Carrie Underwood and funnyman Cledus T. Judd, it’s the far lesser known Joanna Smith who carries home today’s Disc of the Day award. She and producer Buddy Cannon have the finest sounding single of this week, by far.
Our DisCovery Award winner introduces himself with a seven-song EP titled Scars. Phillip Thomas recorded it in Austin with what appears to be a largely Latino supporting cast. Bueno.
PHILLIP THOMAS/Weather Man
Writer: Phillip Thomas/James DeBerry; Producer: Omar Vallejo & Phillip Thomas; Publisher: Matt Stevens, BMI; Muy Grande (www.phillipthomasmusic.com)
—The scampering banjo that underscores this country rocker is just one of the reasons that it’s a slab of excitement. Deft electric guitar work, a pulse-quickening rhythm track and a soaring melody bring this thing home smartly. And then there’s his youthful, soaring, tenor vocal. You’ve got something, kid.
CLEDUS T. JUDD/Double D Cups
Writer: Brett Beavers/Jim Beavers/Brett Warren/Brad Warren; Producer: Cledus T. Judd & Chris P Cream Clark; Publisher: Beavertime Tunes/Chestnut Barn/Chrysalis One/EMI Blackwood/Sony-ATV Tree/StyleSonic, BMI; Warner Bros.
—As usual, his parody perfectly apes the original sonically. In this case, it’s “Red Solo Cup.” If they left out any synonym or nickname for breasts in this lyric, I sure didn’t spot it.
MARTY McINTOSH/She Makes Me Look Good
Writer: Tom Botkin/Tony Stampley/Toni Dae; Producer: Frizzell Productions; Publisher: Paris Landing, BMI; Nashville America (track) (www.martymcintoshmusic.com)
—You have no business being in a recording studio.
JOHNNY BUSH /Who’ll Buy My Memories
Writer: Willie Nelson/Eddie Noack; Producer: Justin Trevino; Publisher: none listed; Heart of Texas (track) (www.heartoftexascountry.com)
—This Texas honky-tonk legend’s latest is a whopping 16 songs long. Some of the tunes are chestnuts, such as “Am I That Easy to Forget,” “Pop a Top,” “Drinking Champagne,” and “I’ve Got a New Heartache.” Others are lesser known, but ALL are bona fide classic country. His vocal on the Willie Nelson title tune is robust, if a little timeworn in the vibrato department. Trevino’s production is hillbilly perfection.
JERRY VANDIVER & VICTORIA BANKS/Leave No TraceWriter: none listed; Producer: Jerry Vandiver; Publisher: none listed; Paddle Songs (track) (www.jerryvandiver.com)
—Vandiver is a successful Nashville tunesmith with such credentials as Tim McGraw’s “For a Little While” and Gene Watson’s “Don’t Waste it on the Blues.” He is also an avid canoer, and his True and Deep concept CD is a celebration of paddling on America’s waterways. This lilting, dobro-laced duet with 2010 Canadian Country Female Vocalist of the Year winner Banks is about enjoying nature without marring or spoiling it. Soothing and highly listenable.
CARRIE UNDERWOOD/Good Girl
Writer: Carrie Underwood/Chris DeStefano/Ashley Gorley; Producer: Mark Bright; Publisher: Carrie-Okie/EMI April/Sugar Glider/External Combustion/Out of the Taperoom/Songs of Southside Independent, BMI/ASCAP; 19/Arista
—It’s a rocker that warns the title femme about the no-good guy she’s seeing. Oddly for someone with such a fine vocal instrument, she often chooses material with more attitude than melody. This is one of those, but the production surrounding her dazzles.
CURTIS & LUCKEY/Tattoo
Writer: Curtis/Flanery/Rhem; Producer: Budy Cannon; Publisher: Tattoo/More Luckey, BMI/ASCAP; KMG (track) (www.curtisandlucke.com)
—They fall in love on spring break, and he becomes her “naughty little secret” just like that bit of body art. Extremely catchy and sung with jaunty charm.
JOANNA SMITH/We Can’t Be Friends
Writer: Brandy Clark/Shane McAnally/Shelley Skidmore; Producer: Buddy Cannon; Publisher: Tunes of Bigger Picture/Bigger Pictures Group/Vista Loma/Crazy Water/Little Blue Egg/Kobalt/Chrysalis/BMG Rights, ASCAP/BMI; Columbia
—This sweet/sad ballad portrays the complexities of lovers who’ve broken up beautifully. Her wistful vocal is echoed by lovely acoustic guitar work and framed in a gorgeous, echoey, wafting production. This is as pretty as it gets.
ANSON CARTER/Blue Collar
Writer: Casey Coesel/Chad Hudson; Producer: Michael Bowen & Anson Carter; Publisher: none listed; Black Gold (track) (www.ansoncartermusic.com)
—There already is a Montgomery Gentry. Also, “I’ve got blue collar running through my veins” makes no sense.
ONE NIGHT RODEO/We Could Go to Jail
Writer: Kim Tribble/Keith Follese; Producer: Kim Tribble; Publisher: Songs of Category 5/Tunes of RPM/Magic Midas/Jamanayre, SESAC/BMI; Fox Hill (CDX) (www.onenightrodeo.net)
—They’re so hot for each other that what’s on their minds could be illegal. I like the rapid-fire lyric delivery and the Southern-rock guitar work.
Connectivity Defines “Generation C”
/by Sarah SkatesA new report from Nielsen dubs Americans ages 18-34 Generation C (for Connected). As music marketers try to reach digitally connected fans, these new findings show where Gen C spends time online, and its love of mobile devices.
Generation C makes up 23 percent of the U.S. population, according to the latest Census. These connected individuals account for a disproportionately high number of device users, making up 39 percent of smartphone users, and 33 percent of tablet owners.
The group represents 27 percent each of consumers watching online video, and visiting social networking/blog sites. One benefit for marketers is that Generation C is engaged in so many ways that there are multiple touch points to reach them.
Marketing to Gen C is full of challenges and opportunities. Radha Subramanyam, Nielsen’s SVP of media analytics, told the LA Times, “When we start marketing to them, we have to think differently. They’re consuming all different kinds of media, and they expect a direct relationship with brands…. This voracious device usage, which is almost an extension of their fingers, is tied to [their] expectations for instantaneous gratification and instantaneous response from brands.”
The charts below examine digital consumers across a variety of age groups and ethnicities.
Source: Nielsen
Big Yellow Dog Music Launches Label
/by Freeman“I definitely don’t try to think about other artists when I’m writing,” says Mize. “I want to pull straight from my own head, I keep it my own for sure.”
A native of Wichita, KS, Mize played football at Southern Illinois University before he began writing songs. He juggled pay-the-rent jobs after moving to Nashville, eventually landing his publishing deal with Big Yellow Dog. Co-writers on Nobody In Nashville include Tashian, Liz Rose, Mark D. Sanders, Bob DiPiero, and Blake Chaffin.
Gibson Launches Artist In Residency Program
/by contributor“This program is dear to our heart and it wonderfully combines our love of music and art,” says Henry Juszkiewicz, Chairman and CEO of Gibson Guitar. “We believe that having artists here will promote a great symbiotic relationship—and that they will inspire us and, hopefully, we will have the same impact on them.”
Artists interested in participating in the program will be invited to email samples of their work and a short essay as to why they should be considered to customartistresident@gibson.com. In addition to global promotional support provided by Gibson, artists selected will receive residency and housing in the Nashville area, studio space and a materials budget. Inspired by Gibson, but not encumbered by strict boundaries or restrictions, the program’s sole requirement is that at least two commercially viable works of art be created during the residency.
James A. Willis, the program’s inaugural artist, has been profiled in American Art Collector, Art & Antiques, and RefuelMagazine.com, among others and is currently the recipient of a studio space endowment from CHASHAMA, a nonprofit arts organization based in New York City. Following his residency, he will remain an integral part of the program as chairman and aid in the selection process of future artists.
Lifenotes (3/02/12)
/by FreemanMusicRow extends its condolences to GrassRoots Promotion Managing Partner Nancy Tunick in the loss of her mother Joy Tunick-Green of Kennett Square, PA. She passed away Feb. 28 following a battle with cancer. She was 74. Funeral services are being held today at Mt. Sharon Cemetery in Springfield, PA.
• • •
Condolences also to veteran music publicist Judy McDonough of JEMMedia, whose mother Dolores McDonough passed away in St. Louis on March 1 after an extended illness. She was 79. Final arrangements are pending.
Kip Moore Sets Release Date For Debut Album
/by Eric T. Parker“The song doing great is a huge accomplishment, but the fact that I’m getting to release a whole record, something I’ve put so much energy into over the years, is the biggest accomplishment in my music career thus far,” says Moore. “I am so excited for people to get a chance to hear this record because I feel like it is an emotional record and I want to be able to move people like the records moved me growing up.”
Moore grew up in Tifton, GA. and has written many songs from experiences in his youth, including his current single. “Reckless (Growing Up)” is a semi-autobiographical journey from Georgia to Nashville and his “Faith When I Fall” was penned the day after Moore was offered his record deal. The album also features “Drive Me Crazy,” “Crazy One More Time” and “Hey Pretty Girl.”
Moore will join Billy Currington and David Nail on tour later in March. Moore is also partnering with Red Bull for multiple Spring Break Bash appearances in Panama City Beach, FL., including two Walmart appearances (March 5 and 12) and two full-band club shows.
More on Moore below:
CountryBreakout No. 1 Song
/by FreemanThe song (written by Ben Hayslip, Sonya Isaacs, and Jimmy Yeary) is now occupying the CountryBreakout No. 1 spot after a 30-plus week climb, which speaks to its durability in the marketplace. McBride tackles the always-tough subject of breast cancer, telling the story of a woman whose husband and family is there to support her every step of the way, from diagnosis to surgery and then recovery. Cancer patients and survivors adopted the anthem as their own, and McBride even took a cross-country Amtrak tour to raise awareness for breast cancer while promoting the release of her Republic Nashville debut Eleven.
“I’m Gonna Love You Through It” also garnered industry accolades, including a Grammy nomination for Best Solo Country Performance. McBride is also currently nominated for Female Vocalist of the Year at the 47th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards on April 1.
Weekly Chart Report (3/2/2012)
/by FreemanMartina McBride, who currently has the CountryBreakout No. 1 song with "I'm Gonna Love You Through It," recently played the BOK Center in Tulsa and visited with Vanessa Valli of KWEY/Weatherford, OK.
SPIN ZONE
There is considerable chart movement in the post Country Radio Seminar shuffle, resulting in a new CountryBreakout No. 1 song for Martina McBride’s “I’m Gonna Love You Through It.” Martina’s anthem of devotion actually has a slight down-tick in spins, but more than enough to stay on top as older singles rotate out. Making a big leap to No. 2 from 7 is Lady Antebellum’s “Dancin’ Away With My Heart,” thanks to a 226 spin gain. Taylor Swift’s “Ours” is up to No. 3, followed by Blake Shelton’s “Drink On It” and Jake Owen’s “Alone With You.”
Capitol’s Luke Bryan and EMI Nashville’s Eric Church also excel in the spins department, each tacking on an additional 500-plus plays for “Drunk On You” and “Springsteen,” respectively. And somehow Carrie Underwood trumps them both, as her new single “Good Girl” picks up nearly 1000 spins to debut at No. 29–one of our highest chart bows ever. Underwood and team smartly debuted the song during CRS and programmers are responding favorably as they freshen their lists. Also getting big spin gains are Rascal Flatts’ “Banjo” at No. 9, Zac Brown Band’s “No Hurry” at No. 14 and Jason Aldean’s “Fly Over States” at No. 16.
Underwood’s debut leads a whole pack of new entries, including Easton Corbin’s “Lovin’ You Is Fun” at No. 69. Also appearing are Darryl Worley’s “You Still Got It” at No. 75, Jon Wolfe’s “I Don’t Dance” at No. 78, Kix Brooks’ “New To This Town” at No. 79, and Shooter Jennings’ “The Deed and the Dollar” at No. 80. Right outside the Top 80, poised to debut next week are Matt Kennon’s “You Had To Pick On Me,” and The McClymonts’ “I Could Be A Cowboy.”
Frozen Playlists: KBCR, KVVP, KYKX, KZTL KZZY WAAG, WZMR
Upcoming Singles
March 5
James Wesley/Walking Contradiction/Broken Bow
Hunter Hayes/Wanted/Atlantic/WMN
Aaron Lewis/Endless Summer/R&J
David Nail/The Sound of a Million Dreams/MCA
Kentucky Headhunters/Great Acoustics/Red Dir
March 12
Sonia Leigh/Bar/Southern Ground/Quarterback
Glen Templeton/Sing That Song Again/Black River
Josh Abbot Band/Touch/PDT
Joanna Smith/We Can’t Be Friends/Columbia
• • • • •
New On The Chart—Debuting This Week
Artist/song/label — chart pos.
Carrie Underwood/Good Girl/19 Recordings/Arista – 29
Easton Corbin/Lovin’ You Is Fun/Mercury – 69
Darryl Worley/You Still Got It/Tenacity – 75
Jon Wolfe/I Don’t Dance – 78
Kix Brooks/New To This Town/Arista – 79
Shooter Jennings/The Deed And The Dollar/eOne – 80
Greatest Spin Increase
Artist/song/label — spin+
Carrie Underwood/Good Girl/19 Recordings/Arista – 987
Eric Church/Springsteen/EMI Nashville – 517
Luke Bryan/Drunk On You/Capitol – 501
Jason Aldean/Fly Over States/Broken Bow – 388
Rascal Flatts/Banjo/Big Machine – 276
Most Added
Artist/song/label — New Adds
Carrie Underwood/Good Girl/19 Recordings/Arista — 64
Luke Bryan/Drunk On You/Capitol — 25
Eric Church/Springsteen/EMI Nashville — 14
Easton Corbin/Lovin’ You Is Fun/Mercury — 13
Thompson Square/Glass/Stoney Creek — 13
Thomas Rhett/Something To Do With My Hands/Valory — 11
Kix Brooks/New To This Town/Arista — 11
Dustin Lynch/Cowboys And Angels/Broken Bow Records — 8
Aaron Lewis/Endless Summer/R & J Records — 8
On Deck—Soon To Be Charting
Artist/song/label — spins
Matt Kennon/You Had To Pick On Me/Roaddawg – 191
The McClymonts/I Could Be A Cowboy/BSM Music – 188
Levi Riggs/My Best Friend’s A Girl/Windridge Records – 188
One Night Rodeo/We Could Go To Jail / – 167
Acklen Park/Great American Song/Otter Rapids Music – 156
Country artists donated their time Feb. 24-25 in Blytheville, AR performing for the 32nd Annual ESA St. Jude Country Cares For Kids sponsored by KHLS/96.3 FM, Epsilon Sigma Alpha, and Ritter Communication. This year over $215,000 was raised. (L-R): (kneeling) Coty and Clinton Walker from The Walker Bros.; (Seated on couch): Jason Green, Chuck Wilder, Tiffany Sykes, Steve Southard and David Adam Byrnes; (upper couc): Dana Ham, Kelly McGrath, Kacey Smith, and Christine Moore; (Back row): CJ Wilder, Mark Wayne Glasmire, Bob Logan Buddy Jewell, Darren Warren, Mike Lester, Debbie Polk, Tom Hill and Sean Patrick McGraw
Arista Nashville’s Kix Brooks recently hosted the WYCD/Detroit 10 Man Jam Guitar Pull. Brooks is supporting his new single, “New To this Town,” featuring Eagles’ guitarist Joe Walsh. The single debuted at No. 79 on the CountryBreakout chart this week. (L-R): Jack Shell (WYCD MD), Tim Roberts (WYCD OM/PD), Kix Brooks and Renee Leymon (Arista Nashville Promotions)
Young Guns Publishing Opens With Six Writers
/by Caitlin RantalaL-R: (front) Phoebe Sharp, Kimberly Paige, Weston Burt. (back) Jeff Garrison, Ben Reno, Tripp Weir.
Ramblin’ Music opened its doors in Nashville in October 2011, and its Young Guns Publishing division has launched with six songwriters. Company president Cliff Downs announced the initial Young Guns roster will include Ramblin’ flagship artist Weston Burt, plus Ben Reno, Phoebe Sharp, Kimberly Paige and Gimm & Icky duo members Jeff Garrison and Tripp Weir.
“The idea for Young Guns Publishing was born out of a dinner with Ramblin’ Music founders Gene and Donna Brooks,” said Downs, who also serves as Creative Director. “The more they got into this business, the more they wanted to get involved with young talent and help them fulfill their dreams.”
All of the Young Guns Publishing writers are also artists who perform in Nashville and on the road. The group represents multiple genres of music, whose songs will be both pitched to other artists as well as set aside for their own future recording projects. “This group of writers is not only incredibly diverse, the passion they have for their craft is just incredible,” added Downs.
Ramblin’ Music was co-founded by Atlanta business couple Gene and Donna Brooks in Fall 2011. The company is located in Nashville at 1105 16th Ave S, Suite A. Inquiries regarding artist and songwriter signings can be directed to info@ramblinmusic.com.
Lady Antebellum Partners With Lipton
/by Eric T. ParkerThe 2012 campaign leverages the scale and reach of the partnership between the Unilever and the Pepsi Lipton Partnership. The campaign includes national TV, print, radio, digital, exclusive online content, retail integrations and a consumer promotion–doubling the marketing spend from 2011.
“Lipton is proud to partner with Lady Antebellum to bring exciting content to our fans this summer,” says Marc Hanson, of the Pepsi-Lipton Partnership. “Lipton and Lady Antebellum share a positive and approachable style, and we’re excited to bring the ‘Drink Positive’ spirit to life–together–in a big way this year.”
“All three of us grew up drinking Lipton tea, and we always have a well-stocked supply on the bus. Plus, we love the ‘Drink Positive’ message and are excited about connecting with our fans on a whole new level through this campaign,” said Lady Antebellum’s Hillary Scott.
DISClaimer Single Reviews (02/29/12)
/by Robert K OermannPhillip Thomas and Joanna Smith
I love it when the underdog wins.
Despite the presence of legendary Johnny Bush, superstar Carrie Underwood and funnyman Cledus T. Judd, it’s the far lesser known Joanna Smith who carries home today’s Disc of the Day award. She and producer Buddy Cannon have the finest sounding single of this week, by far.
Our DisCovery Award winner introduces himself with a seven-song EP titled Scars. Phillip Thomas recorded it in Austin with what appears to be a largely Latino supporting cast. Bueno.
PHILLIP THOMAS/Weather Man
Writer: Phillip Thomas/James DeBerry; Producer: Omar Vallejo & Phillip Thomas; Publisher: Matt Stevens, BMI; Muy Grande (www.phillipthomasmusic.com)
—The scampering banjo that underscores this country rocker is just one of the reasons that it’s a slab of excitement. Deft electric guitar work, a pulse-quickening rhythm track and a soaring melody bring this thing home smartly. And then there’s his youthful, soaring, tenor vocal. You’ve got something, kid.
CLEDUS T. JUDD/Double D Cups
Writer: Brett Beavers/Jim Beavers/Brett Warren/Brad Warren; Producer: Cledus T. Judd & Chris P Cream Clark; Publisher: Beavertime Tunes/Chestnut Barn/Chrysalis One/EMI Blackwood/Sony-ATV Tree/StyleSonic, BMI; Warner Bros.
—As usual, his parody perfectly apes the original sonically. In this case, it’s “Red Solo Cup.” If they left out any synonym or nickname for breasts in this lyric, I sure didn’t spot it.
MARTY McINTOSH/She Makes Me Look Good
Writer: Tom Botkin/Tony Stampley/Toni Dae; Producer: Frizzell Productions; Publisher: Paris Landing, BMI; Nashville America (track) (www.martymcintoshmusic.com)
—You have no business being in a recording studio.
JOHNNY BUSH /Who’ll Buy My Memories
Writer: Willie Nelson/Eddie Noack; Producer: Justin Trevino; Publisher: none listed; Heart of Texas (track) (www.heartoftexascountry.com)
—This Texas honky-tonk legend’s latest is a whopping 16 songs long. Some of the tunes are chestnuts, such as “Am I That Easy to Forget,” “Pop a Top,” “Drinking Champagne,” and “I’ve Got a New Heartache.” Others are lesser known, but ALL are bona fide classic country. His vocal on the Willie Nelson title tune is robust, if a little timeworn in the vibrato department. Trevino’s production is hillbilly perfection.
JERRY VANDIVER & VICTORIA BANKS/Leave No TraceWriter: none listed; Producer: Jerry Vandiver; Publisher: none listed; Paddle Songs (track) (www.jerryvandiver.com)
—Vandiver is a successful Nashville tunesmith with such credentials as Tim McGraw’s “For a Little While” and Gene Watson’s “Don’t Waste it on the Blues.” He is also an avid canoer, and his True and Deep concept CD is a celebration of paddling on America’s waterways. This lilting, dobro-laced duet with 2010 Canadian Country Female Vocalist of the Year winner Banks is about enjoying nature without marring or spoiling it. Soothing and highly listenable.
CARRIE UNDERWOOD/Good Girl
Writer: Carrie Underwood/Chris DeStefano/Ashley Gorley; Producer: Mark Bright; Publisher: Carrie-Okie/EMI April/Sugar Glider/External Combustion/Out of the Taperoom/Songs of Southside Independent, BMI/ASCAP; 19/Arista
—It’s a rocker that warns the title femme about the no-good guy she’s seeing. Oddly for someone with such a fine vocal instrument, she often chooses material with more attitude than melody. This is one of those, but the production surrounding her dazzles.
CURTIS & LUCKEY/Tattoo
Writer: Curtis/Flanery/Rhem; Producer: Budy Cannon; Publisher: Tattoo/More Luckey, BMI/ASCAP; KMG (track) (www.curtisandlucke.com)
—They fall in love on spring break, and he becomes her “naughty little secret” just like that bit of body art. Extremely catchy and sung with jaunty charm.
JOANNA SMITH/We Can’t Be Friends
Writer: Brandy Clark/Shane McAnally/Shelley Skidmore; Producer: Buddy Cannon; Publisher: Tunes of Bigger Picture/Bigger Pictures Group/Vista Loma/Crazy Water/Little Blue Egg/Kobalt/Chrysalis/BMG Rights, ASCAP/BMI; Columbia
—This sweet/sad ballad portrays the complexities of lovers who’ve broken up beautifully. Her wistful vocal is echoed by lovely acoustic guitar work and framed in a gorgeous, echoey, wafting production. This is as pretty as it gets.
ANSON CARTER/Blue Collar
Writer: Casey Coesel/Chad Hudson; Producer: Michael Bowen & Anson Carter; Publisher: none listed; Black Gold (track) (www.ansoncartermusic.com)
—There already is a Montgomery Gentry. Also, “I’ve got blue collar running through my veins” makes no sense.
ONE NIGHT RODEO/We Could Go to Jail
Writer: Kim Tribble/Keith Follese; Producer: Kim Tribble; Publisher: Songs of Category 5/Tunes of RPM/Magic Midas/Jamanayre, SESAC/BMI; Fox Hill (CDX) (www.onenightrodeo.net)
—They’re so hot for each other that what’s on their minds could be illegal. I like the rapid-fire lyric delivery and the Southern-rock guitar work.