“Fans Like Free Media”
August is the month of state and county fairs. Headlining: bad food. Iowa has a new dish this year of Fried Butter. Really? Plain butter isn’t enough to drive up health care costs in the state?
State fairs are populated by not only by questionable gastronomic challenges but by scores of thrilling rides. Rickety roller coasters, ferocious Ferris wheels and titillating tilt-a-whirls. This August the real thrilling ride came, not from state fairs but the stock market.
But this is not a financial column. If it were, you might want to quickly turn away.
It is a column about Country radio and records and the listener/consumer. We know what the state and county fairs have in common with radio, records and the listener. Country performers make their careers in Pelham, AL; Pueblo, CO; and Sussex County, NJ. Country radio is broadcasting remotes and giving away tickets to listeners, who flock to the rides, snacks, petting farms and performances. It is often the best money spent, fun for one low price.
How does this tie into Wall Street? The fans are also flocking to free media.
Associated Press did an analysis of cable and satellite companies, after quarterly earnings reports, and found that consumers are abandoning their clickers in increasing numbers. The loss is not yet earth-shattering but it is the first down-tick in the industry. And this was for a reported quarter BEFORE the stock market scared the heck out of every wage earner in America.
It is also important to note that the consumer is not abandoning TV—just paying for it. They are finding their programming online. When the DVR has become one of the most important electronic toys in a household, what does a consumer’s willingness to forgo cable and watch programming online, on his own schedule, tell us about media consumption?
We know that older Americans have already gone away from purchasing recorded music as in the past. The last few weeks’ No. 1 debut country CD sales failed to top 150,000. We have adjusted our expectations so that this is a successful launch.
This is at the same time that Country Radio stations are setting new ratings highs. Listening to (free) radio is up almost everywhere. Atlanta has a combined cume of over 1.5 million. Detroit is just short of a million cume with only one station. Boston set a ratings record. Los Angeles has stabilized at over one million. Dallas, Chicago, Houston and the list goes on and on. Country radio is way up—free Country radio.
Nashville record companies would like to find another path to the listener, one without the gate keepers of program directors and consultants. But both industries can thrive with an even more powerful partnership.
The consumer is choosing free more often and radio and records can help drive this with creative cooperation. I am not asking for either partner to give up anything for free but what about Country radio and record companies thinking how to drive both listenership and purchasing.
In order to keep it free, maybe we need to find a sponsor that also benefits from the association. What is going to be important, however, is for radio and records to find something that we’re willing to share with each other. It is going to take more than giving an act exposure for a concert.
I like the conference room concerts that artists do for stations because we get to meet the act and bond a little, but stations should use these new acts for lunchtime or after work shows at a sponsor and invite listeners. It’s free for the listener and the station. Plus, it takes a committed record company expense and maybe turns it into an opportunity to build a base in the market.
I wrote awhile back about the lack of connection that radio is making with artists because of programmer reluctance to chance the PPM ratings system with additional talk. I said then and this was a recipe for decreased ratings down the pike. Committing your station to a new act, maybe not on air interviews but with a real chance to interact with the listener/consumer is better than a day at the State Fair.
Aldean Duels Rapper T.I. For Ringtone Title
/by adminSo why the comparison? Aldean is in range to beat the all genre ringtone chart record for most consecutive weeks at No. 1 currently held by T.I.
The rapper, currently set to be released from prison on Sept. 29, where he is being held for violating parole, holds the title with 18 consecutive weeks at No. 1 on the SoundScan Mastertones Songs chart with his song, “Whatever You like.” Aldean’s “Dirt Road Anthem” is currently in the top spot with 15 weeks at No. 1, a tie with Eminem (“Love The Way You Lie”) and already a record for country music ringtones.
What’s causing Aldean’s ringtone phenomenon and is it mostly country consumers or has it spread wider?
Chris Parr
“I call the ringtone a badge of honor,” says manager Chris Parr. It’s the ultimate statement that says who I am, who I identify with and says volumes about younger demos when they are carrying it around. The research says ringtones skew younger. From my programming days, I always used to say, ‘look at the tea leaves. Try to read them and figure out the direction to go.’ Ringtones are just another leaf off that tree, another element. It shows people care and they are passionate about the song and the artist. In terms of crossover influencing these sales, we had more crossover play this year with the Kelly Clarkson duet than with ‘Dirt Road,’ but common sense based on how many weeks it has been No. 1 says it has spread beyond the core country audience.”
Parr, who manages Aldean with Clarence Spalding of Spalding Ent. left CMT mid-year 2007 to work with Aldean.
“It was lucky timing,” remembers Parr modestly. “I was always very passionate about him. Jason is one of those creative people that doesn’t live in the grey, he has a real sense of what works for him and what doesn’t and is very black and white about his art. It makes it more productive when you are working with an artist like that. We have very clear communication. It’s been very exciting, and nice to be able to stretch the boundaries a little bit.”
Ringtone sales peaked a few years ago, but remain a significant revenue stream. Currently on the Top 200 Mastertone chart are numerous country songs and artists. For example looking at the chart for the week ending 8/28/2011 we find Jason, Luke Bryan, Brad Paisley and Blake Shelton all in the top ten. Ranked RTD (release to date) the five highest selling country songs are Lady A “Need You Now” (968k); Zac Brown Band “Chicken Fried” (845k); Jason Aldean “Big Green Tractor” (766k), “She’s Country” (505k); and Carrie Underwood “Jesus Take The Wheel” (488k). (Aldean’s “Dirt Road Anthem” has scanned about 250,000 RTD.)
Aldean has already set the consecutive weeks at No. 1 record for a country act and he is currently tied in second place with Eminem. However, hot behind him is Lil Wayne who has been in the No. 2 spot for the past three weeks. Can Aldean stay No. 1 this coming week (week ended 9/4/11)? If so he’ll own the No. 2 spot for all genres, with 16 consecutive weeks at No. 1, and be only two weeks away from a tie for No. 1.
Movie Pass Gives Subscribers Big Screen Experience
/by adminMovie Pass believes it has a new way to make everyone happy by partnering with Hollywood Movie Money, a company that offers customers promotional tickets and then redeems them from theater owners. Under the new plan, owners will receive the full price of a regular ticket when one of its passes gets redeemed. Hollywood Movie Money is owned by Quantum Loyalty Solutions, Inc.
Quantum Chief Executive Ron Randolph told the Wall Street Journal, the service would encourage movie going without any additional costs to studios or theaters, since everyone gets paid, “full freight.”
The Movie Pass web site says, “Love going to the movies? Get ready for a service that will change your movie going experience forever!” Consumers can sign up on the site to receive a tester invitation.
Analysis: Content in the digital age, including music and now movies can be acquired essentially in three ways—own, subscription, or free. Movie Pass adds a new lane to the subscription traffic which already includes streaming/physical alternatives like Netflix and cable. What’s novel about Movie Pass is that it incorporates the live in-theater, big screen experience.
Photo Friday
/by contributorChristian Kane Visits MusicRow
Before heading out for his fall tour, Bigger Picture artist Christian Kane dropped by MusicRow to meet the staff and play his new single “Let Me Go.” He also invited a little foot-stomping with his down home version of “Callin’ All Country Women.”
(L-R): manger Eric Griffin; MR’s Sherod Robertson; Christian Kane; MR’s Sarah Skates, David Ross, Michelle Stephens, Jon Freeman and Christie King; and guitar player Steve Carlson.
Belmont Students in Liverpool
Belmont students went to London this summer to study “The European Music Business” with Professor Don Cusic. They spent a “Beatles Day” in Liverpool, touring the Beatles Museum and took the “Magical Mystery Tour” bus which featured visits to the homes of the Beatles as well as special landmarks like “Penny Lane” and “Strawberry Fields.”
Museum Hosts Tommy Emmanuel
One of Australia’s most respected and popular musicians, guitar virtuoso Tommy Emmanuel paid tribute to Chet Atkins in a special program at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum last Saturday (8/27). After an interview with the Museum’s Mick Buck, Emmanuel performed for Museum guests.
(L-R): Tommy Emmanuel, Dinah and Fred Gretsch, Museum Curatorial Director Mick Buck and John Knowles. Photo: Donn Jones
ZBB Announces Southern Ground Music & Food Festival
/by FreemanThe three day event, presented by Landshark and Jack Daniel’s, will be held at Blackbaud Stadium on Daniel Island in Charleston, and hopes to engage the senses of attendees with diverse music, gourmet food, a custom video projection screen and a Martin MLA sound system. Ticket pre-sale begins Sept. 9 for fan club members and the general sale starts Sept. 10 at 9 am CT.
In addition to three Zac Brown Band performances, the diverse musical lineup also includes handpicked ZBB favorites My Morning Jacket, Train, Eric Church, Fitz and the Tantrums, Warren Haynes Band, Steel Pulse, Trigger Hippy, The Del McCoury Band and The Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Brett Dennen, and performances by Southern Ground artists Sonia Leigh, The Wood Brothers, Nic Cowan, Levi Lowrey, Blackberry Smoke, and Clay Cook. A second stage will feature performances by additional musicians between main stage sets.
VIP tickets are also available, including ZBB’s Front Porch Stage Boxes. Purchasers get on-stage seating feet away from the performers; a four-course gourmet meal prepared by Southern Ground Exec. Chef Rusty Hamlin, Sean Brock, Mike Lata and RJ Cooper; and complimentary beverages.
For the full lineup, set times, and tickets, visit http://www.southerngroundfestival.com.
National Folk Festival Starts Tonight
/by FreemanPerformers for the free event include Green Fields of America (Irish-American music/dance), Mariachi Los Camperos de Nati Cano (Mexican mariachi), The Holmes Brothers (blues/gospel/r&b), Dale Ann Bradley (bluegrass), BeauSoleil avec Michael Doucet (cajun), Road Mountain Hilltoppers (Appalachian string band), and many more. Events begin at 7 pm tonight (9/2), and Noon on Saturday (9/3) and Sunday (9/4). A full schedule is available here.
The Festival has also partnered with the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum to present a unique program for the Tennessee Folklife Stage and Demonstration Area sponsored by SunTrust. Titled “Nashville’s Musical Roots and Branches,” the stage will explore the city’s musical heritage with interviews and performances from gospel, bluegrass, early country, songwriter, and r&b artists. Each year this area plans to celebrate a different facet of Tennessee heritage and culture.
Part of a three-year tenure with the National Council for the Traditional Arts (NCTA), the National Folk Festival will call Nashville home for 2011, 2012 and its 75th anniversary in 2013.
Sea Gayle/BNA Announces New Signing
/by Sarah Skates(L-R): Scott Safford, Safford Motley PLC; Bryan Frasher, VP Promotion BNA Records; Gary Overton, Chairman & CEO Sony Music Nashville; Scott Kernahan, Rogue Music Group; Liz O’Sullivan, Sea Gayle; Pete Olson, Rogue Music Group; Skip Bishop, SVP Promotion Sony Music Nashville; and seated, Wade Bowen.
Sea Gayle Records / BNA Records officially announced the signing of Wade Bowen. The Texas-bred singer-songwriter has been in the studio finishing his sixth album—his first project for a major label.
For his upcoming release, Bowen collaborated with one of his biggest influences, Guy Clark, on a duet.
Weekly Chart Report (9/02/11)
/by FreemanAmber Hayes (FUNL Music) Learns a 'Magic Beer Trick' during a visit to WBYT/South Bend, Ind. (L-R): Pat (owner of local Irish pub Mulligan’s), Hayes
SPIN ZONE
Keith Urban might be a prophet. About three months ago he tunefully predicted that it was “gonna be a long hot summer” and well, it definitely has been. The song moves up to the CountryBreakout Chart’s No. 1 spot just as September arrives, and we’ve (thankfully) still got a little summer left in the tank.
Positions 3-9 hold fast, with Kenny Chesney’s “You And Tequila” on top of the heap at No. 3. Jake Owen’s “Barefoot Blue Jean Night” still looks strong at No. 5, tacking on a few more spins and closing in on Brad Paisley’s “Remind Me.” Blake Shelton’s “God Gave Me You” also has some legs, as it picks up a 180 spin gain and moves to No. 10.
Kudos to Capitol Records on an impressive debut for Luke Bryan’s “I Don’t Want This Night To End,” which lands at No. 70 in its first week being reported. Bryan’s labelmates Lady Antebellum also have a nocturnally-themed single called “We Owned The Night,” and it’s up to No. 30 in its third week on the chart.
Frozen Playlists: KITX, KXIA, KZTL, WDGG, WKWS, WQNZ, WTCM, WYVY
Upcoming Singles
September 6
Jason Aldean/Tattoos On This Town/Broken Bow
September 12
Kevin Fowler/That Girl/Average Joes
Chris Young/You/RCA
Ashley Gearing/Me, My Heart and I/Curb
Crystal Shawanda/Love Enough/Sun/Nine North
Andy Gibson/Wanna Make You Love Me/R&J
• • • • •
New On The Chart—Debuting This Week
Artist/song/label — chart pos.
Luke Bryan/I Don’t Want This Night To End/Capitol — 70
Chris Young/You/RCA Nashville — 74
Jason Sturgeon/The Cover/Toolpusher/Spinville — 78
Marlee Scott/Beautiful Maybe/CO5 — 80
Greatest Spin Increase
Artist/song/label — spin+
Lady Antebellum/We Owned The Night/Capitol — 456
Jason Aldean/Tattoos On This Town/Broken Bow — 381
Luke Bryan/I Don’t Want This Night To End/Capitol — 350
Eric Church/Drink In My Hand/EMI Nashville — 330
Miranda Lambert/Baggage Claim/Columbia — 288
Most Added
Artist/song/label — New Adds
Luke Bryan/I Don’t Want This Night To End/Capitol — 32
Jason Aldean/Tattoos On This Town/Broken Bow — 23
Lady Antebellum/We Owned The Night/Capitol — 22
Chris Young/You/RCA Nashville — 14
Eric Church/Drink In My Hand/EMI Nashville — 14
Steel Magnolia/Bulletproof/Big Machine — 13
Reba/Somebody’s Chelsea/Starstruck/Valory — 10
Tyrone Vaughan/Downtime/Kick It Up — 10
On Deck—Soon To Be Charting
Artist/song/label — spins
Bomshel/Halleluy’all/Curb — 218
Cash Creek/Unlikely Angel/Ohana — 209
Justin Haigh/All My Best Friends Are Behind Bars — 205
Coleman Brothers/Beer—Thirty/PVI — 200
The O’Donnells/She Leaves The Light On/Song Valley Music — 195
Jesse Keith Whitley/Kentucky Thunder/Octabrook Records — 190
Tyrone Vaughan/Downtime/Kick It Up — 184
Warner Bros. Records artist Jason Jones recently stopped by CMT to give the staff a “Ferris Wheel” spin. The singer/songwriter treated staff to performances of songs from his forthcoming Brett Beavers-produced debut album, including his current single “Ferris Wheel.” (L-R): Jensen Arrowsmith (Warner Music Nashville Associate Director, Publicity), Stacey Cato (CMT Music Strategy), Jason Jones, Stephen Linn (CMT Music Strategy), Kelli Cashiola (Warner Music Nashville VP Brand Management), Justin Luffman (Director On-Line Marketing), Jennifer Danielson (CMT Music Strategy) and Cris Lacy (Warner Music Nashville VP A&R). Photo Credit: Courtesy of CMT
Frankie Ballard with US Army Black Knights—who parachuted in next to the stadium right before Frankie took the stage at the Appalachian Fair in Johnson City, TN
Casey James (BNA Records) was recently at KXKT/Omaha to share his debut single, "Lets Don't Call It A Night." (L-R): KXKT PD Erik Johnson, James and MD Hoss Michaels.
Robertson Taylor Founder Renews Contract
/by adminBob Taylor
Co-founder Bob Taylor has renewed his contract with Robertson Taylor, the insurance broker that provides specialist products for the entertainment and music industries.
Andy Wallin, Managing Director, Robertson Taylor, said, “We are delighted that Bob is continuing in the business. His experience and industry knowledge is unparalleled and there is a huge amount of affection and respect for him from both the music industry and the insurance industry. We have some incredibly talented people coming up through the business who will also benefit from the guidance he can provide.”
“We have seen huge changes in the industry from the late seventies when vinyl ruled and bands trashed hotels, to the dawn of the digital age,” says Taylor. “Bands today need to be professionals in an increasingly competitive world. But we have always been available when things have gone wrong for our clients. I truly believe that this has been the source of our success. Our willingness to be there…without question getting on a plane at short notice to travel anywhere in the world—that has always set our company apart, and continues to do so today.”
Taylor, the late Willie Robertson, along with Ian France, established Robertson Taylor in 1977 as a dedicated specialist broker for the music and entertainment industry. Today the company has offices in Los Angeles, Nashville, New York, Las Vegas, and London.
Charlie Cook On Air
/by contributor“Fans Like Free Media”
State fairs are populated by not only by questionable gastronomic challenges but by scores of thrilling rides. Rickety roller coasters, ferocious Ferris wheels and titillating tilt-a-whirls. This August the real thrilling ride came, not from state fairs but the stock market.
But this is not a financial column. If it were, you might want to quickly turn away.
It is a column about Country radio and records and the listener/consumer. We know what the state and county fairs have in common with radio, records and the listener. Country performers make their careers in Pelham, AL; Pueblo, CO; and Sussex County, NJ. Country radio is broadcasting remotes and giving away tickets to listeners, who flock to the rides, snacks, petting farms and performances. It is often the best money spent, fun for one low price.
How does this tie into Wall Street? The fans are also flocking to free media.
Associated Press did an analysis of cable and satellite companies, after quarterly earnings reports, and found that consumers are abandoning their clickers in increasing numbers. The loss is not yet earth-shattering but it is the first down-tick in the industry. And this was for a reported quarter BEFORE the stock market scared the heck out of every wage earner in America.
It is also important to note that the consumer is not abandoning TV—just paying for it. They are finding their programming online. When the DVR has become one of the most important electronic toys in a household, what does a consumer’s willingness to forgo cable and watch programming online, on his own schedule, tell us about media consumption?
We know that older Americans have already gone away from purchasing recorded music as in the past. The last few weeks’ No. 1 debut country CD sales failed to top 150,000. We have adjusted our expectations so that this is a successful launch.
This is at the same time that Country Radio stations are setting new ratings highs. Listening to (free) radio is up almost everywhere. Atlanta has a combined cume of over 1.5 million. Detroit is just short of a million cume with only one station. Boston set a ratings record. Los Angeles has stabilized at over one million. Dallas, Chicago, Houston and the list goes on and on. Country radio is way up—free Country radio.
Nashville record companies would like to find another path to the listener, one without the gate keepers of program directors and consultants. But both industries can thrive with an even more powerful partnership.
The consumer is choosing free more often and radio and records can help drive this with creative cooperation. I am not asking for either partner to give up anything for free but what about Country radio and record companies thinking how to drive both listenership and purchasing.
In order to keep it free, maybe we need to find a sponsor that also benefits from the association. What is going to be important, however, is for radio and records to find something that we’re willing to share with each other. It is going to take more than giving an act exposure for a concert.
I like the conference room concerts that artists do for stations because we get to meet the act and bond a little, but stations should use these new acts for lunchtime or after work shows at a sponsor and invite listeners. It’s free for the listener and the station. Plus, it takes a committed record company expense and maybe turns it into an opportunity to build a base in the market.
I wrote awhile back about the lack of connection that radio is making with artists because of programmer reluctance to chance the PPM ratings system with additional talk. I said then and this was a recipe for decreased ratings down the pike. Committing your station to a new act, maybe not on air interviews but with a real chance to interact with the listener/consumer is better than a day at the State Fair.
Hot Combos Vince/Sting, George/Martina, Faith/NBC
/by Sarah SkatesAnother great pairing: Martina and Target, who are teaming to offer this exclusive edition of her upcoming album with added content and a blue album cover.
George Strait and Martina McBride will hit the road together in January 2012. Tour dates and on-sale information will be announced soon. Strait is prepping for next week’s release of his 39th studio album Here For A Good Time. McBride’s new effort Eleven will debut on Oct. 11. She is also teaming with Target for an exclusive version with a custom blue cover, video content, and four additional tracks: “You‟re In My House Now,” “Closing Time,” “Ask The Boy,” and “I Give It To You.”
Vince Gill and Sting are teaming up for a new episode of CMT Crossroads. The show will be taped in New York City at an invitation-only event and will premiere in November. It has been five years since the series taped an installment in the Big Apple. Both stars have new releases hitting stores this fall. Together they have earned over 35 Grammys, and sold over 125 million albums.
Faith Hill will perform the opening theme for NBC’s Sunday Night Football for the fifth year in a row. The theme, “Waiting All Day for Sunday Night,” debuts this season on Sunday, Sept. 11 when the Packers take on the Saints.