Rethink Music Conference Offers Genesis Competition

/by

Rethink Music’s second annual conference is scheduled to take place April 23-24 in Boston. Rethink Music describes itself as, “A hands-on conference designed to bring music stakeholders together to discuss business models for the future, examine copyright challenges in the digital era, and analyze technological innovation in music and its distribution. Centered around transforming the music industry, Rethink Music’s programming does not just focus on discussing change, but rather making it happen.” The conference is produced by Berklee College of Music and Midem in association with Harvard University’s Berkman Center for Internet and Society.

Panelists already added to the growing list for next spring include;
Chris Kaskie, President, Pitchfork
Kenneth Parks, Chief Content Officer, Spotify
Jim Lucchese, CEO, The Echo Nest
Rio Caraeff, President & CEO, VEVO
Cecily Mak, VP/General Counsel, Rhapsody International, Inc.
Jim Griffin, Managing Director OneHouse LLC
Anita Elberse, Associate Professor, Harvard Business School

This year Rethink Music has entered into a new partnership with Babson College to create the Genesis Project, a competition designed to recognise new concepts, technologies and businesses which can move the music industry forward. The competition is a key part of Rethink Music’s goal of fostering innovation and new ideas for the music industry. Submissions to the competition are open until March 15, 2012 and will be judged by Berklee College of Music faculty, Babson College faculty, industry executives and venture capitalists on their potential to become the basis of a viable new or improved venture or music business idea. Finalists will present their ideas at the Rethink Music conference in Boston on 23-24 April and Rethink Music will provide the winning project with $10,000 in legal services, additional in-kind awards, consulting services and meetings with venture capitalists.

Rethink Music will also host a Hacker’s Weekend April 21st & 22nd in Cambridge, MA at Microsoft’s New England Research & Development Center. (Microsoft N.E.R.D, 1 Memorial Drive, Cambridge, MA) This will be a weekend for developers, designers, programers, industry insiders and musicians to come together to create new and unique applications across many different platforms. Hackers will have the weekend to build their hack and the three best will be presented at the Rethink Music Conference.

Industry Celebrates Brantley Gilbert’s “Country Wide” No. 1

/by

(L-R): Jon Freeman, Brantley Gilbert, Scott Borchetta and George Briner. Photo: Caitlin Rantala

Tuesday night (1/17), music industry professionals joined the Valory Music Co. in congratulating Brantley Gilbert on his first no. 1 hit as an artist, “Country Must Be Country Wide.” The party gathered at Cabana in Nashville, where Gilbert and the single’s songwriters Colt Ford and Mike Dekle were honored.

BMI’s Clay Bradley shared that each time he hears the chorus “In every state, there’s a station / Playing Cash, Hank, Willie and Waylon,” he gets, what he referred to as, the “Music City measles,” causing the hair on the back of his neck to rise. ASCAP’s Marc Driskill and Big Machine Label Group Pres./CEO Scott Borchetta also shared Bradley’s enthusiasm for the song, as they each handed out their congratulatory plaques.

MusicRow also presented the country singer with a no. 1 plaque. Jon Freeman, managing editor and chart director of MusicRow did the honors, noting that “Country Must Be Country Wide” went no. 1 on MusicRow’s CountryBreakout Chart on Oct 27, 2011.

Dekle, Ford and Gilbert each shared their gratitude with the crowd.

(L-R): ASCAP’s Marc Driskill, Average ZJs Music Publishing’s Noah Gordon, producer Dann Huff, co-writers Colt Ford and Mike Dekle, Brantley Gilbert, Big Machine Label Group President/CEO Scott Borchetta, Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corporation’s Steve Markland, and BMI’s Clay Bradley. Photo by Eric England

“I cried like you hit me with a trace train,” Dekle said, referring to the first time he heard Gilbert’s “Country Must Be Country Wide.”

Ford teared up for a moment when he was given the mic. He expressed how happy he was to see Gilbert greeted with so much success.

But Gilbert was quick to pass the credit on, pointing into the audience to single out his band members. “I’ve got the best band in world,” he said proudly of the musicians, who not only tour with him but also play on his album.

While “Country Must Be Country Wide,” produced by Dann Huff, is Gilbert’s first no. 1 as an artist, it’s not the first time his talent has been recognized. Gilbert also wrote Jason Aldean’s “My Kind Of Party” and “Dirt Road Anthem.” Both songs reached no. 1 status.

After the celebration, Gilbert was headed out of town with Eric Church Blood, Sweat and Beers Tour. The tour kicks off today (1/19) in Fort Smith, AR.

Trace Adkins Announces Songs & Stories Tour

/by

Trace Adkins

Trace Adkins announced his Songs & Stories Tour today (Jan. 23), which will visit U.S. theaters throughout the Spring incorporating performances and stories about Adkins’ roots. Fan club pre-sale tickets for the March dates are  available today. Scheduled dates appear below.

Adkins 10th studio album, Proud To Be Here, was released last summer with a CMT Invitation Only special that inspired the intimate tour.

“I’ve had many narrow escapes and blessings in my life,” said Adkins. “The right song at the right time has been my saving grace and that’s something I have in common with the audience. Sharing meaningful songs, stories and some laughs ‘around the campfire’ is the Country music tradition and I’m looking forward to it.”

Fans will also be able to share personal stories and ask questions about Adkins’ songs that shaped their lives. Tickets for March dates will go on sale to the public Friday, Jan. 27. April and May dates will be available Feb. 3.

Songs & Stories Spring 2012 (more dates expected to be announced):

March 8                       Des Moines IA                         Hoyt Sherman
March 9                       Kansas City MO          Midland Theater
March 10                     Peoria IL                      Civic Theater
March 15                     Milwaukee WI                         Riverside Theater
March 16                     Rochester MN              Mayo Civic Theater
March 17                     Grand Forks ND          Chester Fritz Auditorium
March 22                     Birmingham AL           Alabama Theatre
April 12                       Ashland KY                 Paramount Arts Center
April 14                       Toledo OH                   Stranahan Theater
April 18                       Louisville KY              The Palace Theatre
April 19                       Spartanburg SC            Memorial Hall
April 20                       Charlotte NC                Ovens Auditorium
April 25                       Denver CO                  Paramount Theater
April 27                       Salinas KS                   Stiefel Theater
April 28                       Tulsa OK                     Brady Theater
May 3                          N. Charleston SC         North Charleston Performing Arts Center
May 4                          Savannah GA              Mercer Theater
May 10                        Davenport IA               Adler Theatre
May 11                        South Bend IN             Morris PAC
May 12                        Memphis TN                Orpheum Theatre
May 17                        Atlanta GA                  Cobb Theater

ACM Nominations Coming Thursday

/by

Academy of Country Music Award nominations will be revealed Thursday (1/26) at 6:30 a.m./PT, 8:30 a.m. CT.

In keeping with the Academy’s ever-growing fan engagement initiatives, the nominees will be announced for the first time via a digital press conference on the Academy’s social media channels. Reba, who is set to host the 47th annual ACM Awards with Blake Shelton, will read the nominations and will be joined by surprise guests. Some categories will be revealed via pre-taped video message and some will be announced in text.

The press conference will culminate with country music fans announcing the nominees for Entertainer of the Year, a fan-voted award.

Beginning today fans are invited to visit the ACM YouTube Channel at www.youtube.com/acmcountry to learn how to post videos announcing the name of the artist(s) they would like to see receive an Entertainer of the Year nomination. On Thursday during the real-time digital press conference fans can watch to see if their video submission is used to announce their pick for the Academy’s biggest prize.

Following the announcement, nominee reaction videos will be posted throughout the day.

The ACM Awards, Country Music’s Party of the Year®, will be broadcast live from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas Sunday, April 1, 2012 at 8:00 PM live ET/delayed PT on the CBS Television Network.

ACM on Facebook: facebook.com/AcademyOfCountryMusic
ACM on Twitter: twitter.com/ACMawards

Weblinks: Top “Idol” Earners, Facebook/Vevo, Haggard

/by

As a new season of American Idol gets underway, Forbes lists the Top Earning Idol winners and contestants from previous years. Not surprisingly, Carrie Underwood comes in at No. 1 by a landslide, with $20 million in earnings during the measurement period.

• • • •

Facebook is having preliminary talks with music video service Vevo to replace YouTube as the platform’s host. More from CNET.

• • • •

Merle Haggard was released from the hospital on Friday (1/20) follow a bout with pneumonia. As previously reported, the 74-year-old has canceled tour dates through the end of the month.

McGraw Strikes Gold with “Felt Good On My Lips”

/by

Tim McGraw’s recent no. 1 single “Felt Good On My­­ Lips” has struck digital download gold, with digital sales exceeding 500,000 units. A collaborative creative effort from songwriters Brett Beavers, Jim Beavers and Brett and Brad Warren, “Felt Good On My Lips” was produced by McGraw and Byron Gallimore.

The good news comes as McGraw’s new studio album, Emotional Traffic (Curb Records), is slated for release tomorrow (1/24). “Felt Good On My Lips” is included on the album.

Following the release of Emotional Traffic, McGraw will join Kenny Chesney on the Brothers of the Sun Tour in June. The coast-to-coast large arena concert schedule will hit more than twenty major market venues between June and August. Markets already confirmed include Tampa, Atlanta, Dallas, Philadelphia, Nashville, Charlotte, Pittsburgh, Chicago, Denver, Detroit, Anaheim, and Washington, DC.

Music City Songwriting Competition Adds Black River VP

/by

Nashville Convention & Visitors Bureau has added Black River Entertainment VP of A&R, Doug Johnson to the listening panel. Johnson will review all songs submitted or postmarked between Jan. 27-29, and the writer of his top pick will be given the opportunity to perform before one of Black River artist Craig Morgan’s 2012 shows. Entries for the amateur songwriting competition will continue to be accepted through Jan. 31.

The competition will be narrowed to the top 25 entries to be judged based on melody, composition, originality, lyrics and commercial appeal by a panel including Morgan, Tim Nichols, Mike Sistad, Alex Torrez, Storme Warren and Butch Spyridon.

The winner will recieve $1,000 cash, five nights admission and airfare for two to Nashville’s CMA Music Fest with an interview on GAC and Sirius XM. A mentoring session from Craig Morgan will be offered along with a feature in American Songwriter, a co-write session, demo recording session and a single song publishing deal with Black River Entertainment.

Johnson has had over 100 cuts and seven No. 1s and worked with the careers of Patty Loveless, Collin Raye, Doug Stone, Joe Diffie, Ty Herndon, Clay Walker, Blake Shelton, Tim McGraw, Leann Rimes, Wynonna and Lee Brice.

Songs are accepted by mail or mp3 online for $25. Additional songs for $15. All entries receive a copy of Morgan’s upcoming CD.

Rascal Flatts To Receive Humanitarian Award At CRS 2012

/by

Big Machine’s Rascal Flatts has been named the recipient of the CRS 2012 Artist Humanitarian Award, to be presented at Country Radio Seminar Wednesday, Feb. 22.

The multi-platinum trio will be given the honor based on their charitable contributions and humanitarian efforts through their career. In 2010, Gary LeVox, Jay DeMarcus and Joe Don Rooney donated $3 million to the Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt’s Pediatric Surgery Center. They also serve as spokespersons for the national suicide prevention organization, The Jason Foundation, and have been members of the American Red Cross Celebrity Cabinet for seven years.

“The board is very pleased to honor Rascal Flatts with the CRS Artist Humanitarian Award,” says CRS Executive Director Bill Mayne. “They join a long, distinguished list of celebrities who have received this prestigious award since it was instated in 1990.”

The honor will be presented to the group at 10:30 AM/CT on Feb. 22 in the Nashville Convention Center immediately following the seminar’s Keynote Address. CRS 2012 runs Feb. 22-24 in downtown Nashville. The $499 regular registration rate expires this Friday, Jan. 27 and increases to $599.

GAC Focuses On Fan Engagement

/by

Kellie Pickler chats with Suzanne Alexander and fans live on Facebook.com/GAC following "The Collection." Photo by Cheryl Ecton

GAC is focusing on fan interaction in 2012. On Wednesday the network hosted a live event with Kellie Pickler, allowing viewers to send in questions for the star via Facebook, Twitter or phone. It was the first live episode of The Collection, one of the network’s most popular shows, where artists reflect on their careers by looking back at their videos in chronological order. The artists join host Storme Warren to discuss what was going on in their lives at the time of each video and share details about the shoot.

Pickler and her videos are a consistent favorite of GAC viewers, so an hour with her was an ideal opportunity to try on-air viewer interaction, according to GM/SVP Sarah Trahern and VP/Programming, Suzanne Gordon. Producers let fans program the show by selecting which of Pickler’s videos they’d like to see. Plus, the singer’s feisty brand of humor and quick-wit make her a natural for a live setting. After the show, she joined GAC host Suzanne Alexander for an additional hour engaging fans through an online chat on the GAC Facebook page.

Trahern and Gordon say that viewers can expect more live, interactive programming throughout this year. The network—available in 62 million households—will continue to focus on fan engagement as it debuts new series this spring and brings back other recent additions to the lineup.

Fans were front and center when the network paired Trace Adkins and Exile for a remake of the latter’s ‘70s hit “Kiss You All Over.” Fans were allowed to join them in the studio for the show Hit Exchange, which aired in December.

Scheduled to return in 2012 is the Day Jobs series, which takes stars back to their first jobs. Also on the docket is the return of Tom’s Wild Life, which mixes legendary outfitter, hunter and cowboy Tom McMillan with celebrity clients including Miranda Lambert and Blake Shelton at his Kansas ranch. Meanwhile, Warren’s news vehicle Headline Country will up the ante from twice monthly to weekly in 2012.

Fan voting has long been a key part of GAC’s countdown shows, including the Top 20 Country Countdown, and the new Top 50 Videos of the 2000s.

In recent years a partnership with the ACM has helped the network and the ACM Awards boost fan engagement. GACtv.com is hosting fan voting for the ACM New Artist of the Year Award. The eight nominees are also featured on GAC’s ACM Showcase show, where Brantley Gilbert, Hunter Hayes, JT Hodges, Scotty McCreery, Justin Moore, David Nail, Jerrod Niemann and Thompson Square are interviewed by Warren. Online fan voting to select the final three nominees closes Monday, Jan. 30, 12:00 pm/Eastern.

GAC will then feature the three finalists in a performance special, premiering Monday, March 19. That will be followed by a final round of online voting beginning Monday, March 19 at VoteACM.com.

The New Artist of the Year trophy will be handed out at the April 1 ACM Awards, where GAC will offer live red carpet coverage from the event in Las Vegas.

MusicRow Hires Eric Parker

/by

Eric Parker. Photo: Dabble Travel Magazine

MusicRow Publisher/Owner Sherod Robertson announces the hiring of Eric Parker as Marketing Manager. The newly-created position entails marketing initiatives for MusicRow web and print publications, RowFax song pitch-sheet, and the CountryBreakout Chart.

Parker will also coordinate the publication’s annual events including the MusicRow Awards, and the CRS CountryBreakout Chart Meet & Greet and Awards.

“Eric’s innovative marketing ideas and attention to detail will be essential as we expand the footprint of MusicRow,” says Robertson. “I am proud to have him on board as we continue to serve the music industry at the highest level.”

Parker began at MusicRow in 2010 as an intern to assist Chart Director/Managing Editor Jon Freeman with the CountryBreakout Chart and has since served as an editorial contributor. Parker split time at MusicRow while working with Bluewater Music in the copyright department, contributing as travel editor for Dabble travel magazine, and working with the production efforts of Nashville’s Ovvio Arte.

He holds a degree in Entertainment and Music Business from Belmont with intern experience including UMG’s A&R department, Starstruck Management, S1 Publishing, Tom-Leis Publishing, and EB Media.

Parker can be reached at eparker@musicrow.com.