Black River Celebrates Sound Stage Renovations

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Front Stage tracking room with movable ceiling panels.


Black River Entertainment celebrated the re-opening of Black River at Sound Stage’s Front Stage tracking room with an industry gathering last night (7/21).
The room’s improvements and upgrades include new ATC 300 speakers, motorized and movable ceiling panels, and a selection of new microphones. Warren Rhoades, Mike LeBlanc, and in-demand engineer Chuck Ainlay helmed the redesign effort to improve the studio’s sonics and comfort. Interior designer Markeata Daniels was brought on to make sure the aesthetic vibe matched the technical upgrades.
“It’s such an incredible honor to be a part of history here at Sound Stage,” says
Sound Stage GM Nick Autry. “There is no doubt that we had the best possible team designing the space. From the new amp lockers to the new lounge, every aspect of this renovation is incredible.”
Sound Stage was recently purchased by Black River Entertainment, which is the latest in a series of expansions and changes by the company following Gordon Kerr’s move to BRE COO in October 2010. BRE has since beefed up with a full promotion staff, added former Lyric Street marketing head Greg McCarn to the GM position, and signed hitmaker Craig Morgan to the roster. Morgan’s first single for BRE is “This Ole Boy,” and it is currently at No. 70 on MusicRow’s CountryBreakout Chart.

Artists Perform at Vanderbilt Children's Hospital

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Hunter Hayes Performs as Part of Musicians On Call Program
Musician, writer, producer and performer Hunter Hayes helped spread some musical cheer at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt in Nashville as part of the Musicians On Call program recently. Musicians On Call is a national program that brings live and recorded music to the bedsides of patients.

(L-R): Hadley Grace Birmingham, Jim Birmingham (Hadley’s grandfather) and Hunter Hayes Photo: Shane Tarleton

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Big Machine Partners With Children’s Hospital
Trio Edens Edge recently performed for patients at the Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt. The visit was part of a new partnership between the hospital and the Big Machine Label Group. Once a month, the label’s artists will participate in Children’s Hospital’s weekly interactive music group, “Music Days.” Artists will perform onstage and interact with patients and their families through group songwriting, instrument playing and sing-alongs. The shows will also be broadcast to patients in their rooms.

Edens Edge poses for a photo with Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt patient Promise Slater. Photo: Steve Green


 
 

Reconciling The RIAA Certs plus June Awards

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The RIAA has announced its June 2011 certifications and Nashville artists are well represented in both album and digital download categories.
CMA Entertainer of the Year Brad Paisley, saw his latest album, This Is Country Music, cruise into Gold territory after only one month or so on the charts. According to SoundScan, Paisley has scanned about 363k units through the week ended 7/17/11 definitely short of the Gold sales mark of 500k. However, because RIAA certifications measure shipments and SoundScan measures point of sale purchases using the two systems gives one an idea of how many units have been shifted into consumer hands, and how optimistic merchants are about continuing to sell the album. In Paisley’s case one could surmise that there are about 130,000 units remaining in the supply chain. Given that the album is selling about 20k (per SoundScan) per week that equates to a six week supply.

Click image to download report


Also earning a Gold award this month is Ke$ha for her Cannibal album, (SoundScan total 141k.)
Country music fans are starting to get active in downloading digital tracks as evidenced by the four Gold digital awards earned this month by Jason Aldean (“Dirt Road Anthem”), Luke Bryan (“Country Girl (Shake It For Me)”), Kenny Chesney (“Beer In Mexico”) and Rascal Flatts (“I Won’t Let Go”). (All these digital titles are above the 500,000 mark in actual sales, too.)
Moving higher up the ladder, above the country men, was Sara Evans who got a shiny Platinum trophy for selling one million downloads of “A Little Bit Stronger.” (In fact the track has sold 1.05 million copies according to SoundScan through 7/17/11.)
Reconciling The Stats
Balancing the RIAA criteria between physical sales and digital sales is confusing. It appears that digital singles must actually reach the Gold or Platinum levels of 500k and 1,000,000 respectively. However, albums are based upon shipments. Below is some “enlightenment” from the RIAA web site…note that in No. 5 it says certifications are based upon product “Shipped.” However, how does one tally shipments of digital singles?

1. Along with minimum sales figures, a number of other criteria accompany each title for certification. The list and table below describe what titles and types of sales can be considered for the awards.
2. Each company that requests RIAA® certification must be a firm or corporation that has headquarters in the United States and is engaged in the legitimate production and sale of sound recordings.
3. Recordings become eligible for certification 30 days after initial street date. Audio and music video titles may be requested for award certification starting 30 days after product is commercially available to consumers.
4. Only domestic sales and sales to U.S. military post exchanges may be included. The requesting company must separate PX sales from other accounts on sales sheets. Export sales outside the United States are not included in certification.
5. Club sales and club free goods may be included towards certification. Product shipped to retail, mail order, record clubs, TV marketing and other ancillary markets are combined toward certified sales. All shipments to these accounts must be verified by the label.
6. Promotional radio and press copies, cut-outs, inventory sell-offs and surplus sales are not included toward certification.
7. Catalog product, specifically pre-1972 album releases, are eligible for certification by meeting either the unit shipment or manufacturer’s dollar requirement for each award level.

 
RIAA offers an interesting retrospective on the American Music Business that can be downloaded HERE.
 

Weekly Chart Update (7/22/11)

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Davison


RADIO NEWS
John Davison has been named the new PD at Citadel’s WHWK/Binghamton, NY and is on the job now. He fills the spot vacated by Don Brake, who left the station in May to join WFRE/Frederick, MD. Reach Davison here.
SPIN ZONE
It’s a tight configuration at the top of the CountryBreakout Chart, with just over a hundred spins separating positions 1, 2, and 3. Lady Antebellum’s “Just A Kiss” emerges victorious for a second consecutive week, holding off Zac Brown Band’s “Knee Deep.” Luke Bryan’s “Country Girl (Shake It For Me)” drops to No. 3, followed by Trace Adkins’ “Just Fishin’” at No. 4 and Kenny Chesney’s duet with Grace Potter “You And Tequila” at No. 5.

Toolpusher recording artist Jason Sturgeon (R) recently fulfilled a longtime dream when he opened a show for his idol Gary Allan (L) at Hoosier Park in Anderson, Indiana. Sturgeon’s latest single “The Cover” is impacting radio now and its video was shot in his hometown of Petersburg, Indiana.


It’s also a relatively young chart, judging by the fact that “Just A Kiss” climbed to No. 1 in only 11 weeks, and there is only one title inside the Top 20 over 20 weeks old still gaining spins. On the other hand, there are five titles in the Top 20 younger than 10 weeks. The nine-week-old Paisley/Underwood collab “Remind Me” leads the pack at No. 7, followed by Toby Keith’s six-weeks-on “Made In America” at No. 8. At No. 12, George Strait’s “Here For A Good Time” has only ticked seven weeks, while Keith Urban’s “Long Hot Summer” (No. 15) has been around for even less at five weeks.
Soon to be joining the crowd are Blake Shelton’s “God Gave Me You” and Taylor Swift’s “Sparks Fly,” both of which are in their second week charting. Shelton’s latest debuted at No. 52 in the previous chart, and flew up to No. 32 with a boatload of new adds. Swift’s new single originally debuted at No. 48 and zoomed to No. 33 with a gain of 339 spins.
Frozen Playlists: KITX, KTTI, KWWR, KXOX, Nashville XM 11, WDHR, WEZJ, WYVY



Upcoming Singles
July 25
Montgomery Gentry/Where I Come From/Average Joe’s
Blake Shelton/God Gave Me You/Warner Bros./WMN
Martina McBride/I’m Gonna Love You Through It/Republic Nashville
Sonia Leigh/My Name Is Money/Southern Ground/BPG
Eric Paslay/Never Really Wanted/EMI Records Nashville
Keith Bryant/Can’t Tell Somebody Who To Love/Jordash
August 1
Justin Moore/Bait A Hook/Valory
Amber Hayes/Wait/Flying Island
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New On The Chart—Debuting This Week
Artist/song/label — chart pos.
Martina McBride/I’m Gonna Love You Through It/Republic Nashville — 57
Montgomery Gentry/Where I Come From/Average Joe’s — 63
Deborah Allen/Anything Other Than Love/Delta Rock — 77
Katie Armiger/I Do But Do I/Cold River — 78
Tracy Lawrence/The Singer/Lawrence Music Group — 80
Greatest Spin Increase
Artist/song/label — spin+
Blake Shelton/God Gave Me You/Warner Bros./WMN — 413
Taylor Swift/Sparks Fly/Big Machine — 339
Martina McBride/I’m Gonna Love You Through It/Republic Nashville — 306
Keith Urban/Long Hot Summer / Capitol — 290
Toby Keith/Made In America/Show Dog — Universal — 237
Most Added
Artist/song/label — New Adds
Blake Shelton/God Gave Me You/Warner Bros./WMN — 23
Martina McBride/I’m Gonna Love You Through It/Republic Nashville — 22
Taylor Swift/Sparks Fly/Big Machine — 19
Montgomery Gentry/Where I Come From/Average Joe’s — 14
Tracy Lawrence/The Singer/Lawrence Music Group — 13
Justin Moore/Bait a Hook/Valory — 11
On Deck—Soon To Be Charting
Artist/song/label — spins
The McClymonts/Wrapped Up Good/BSM — 202
Kevin Fowler/Hell Yeah, I Like Beer/Average Joe’s Ent. — 190
Mark Wills / Crazy Bein’ Home / Tenacity — 176
Brad Wolfe/Love Ought To Be Perfect/Evergreen — 175
Teea Goans/Letters From God/Crosswind — 160

Brad Paisley’s H2O Wetter & Wilder Tour made a stop in Boston this past Saturday for WKLB's CountryFest. (L-R): WKLB's Ginny Rogers and Mike Brophey, Paisley, Sony Music Nashville’s Skip Bishop, and Arista Nashville’s Lesly Tyson, John Sigler, Ryan Dokke.


Gloriana was recently in Oklahoma City, and hung out with KJKE 93.3 JakeFM staff members. The Emblem Records group’s single “Wanna Take You Home” is currently climbing the charts:(L-R): Gloriana’s Tom Gossin, KJKE’s Crash Poteet, Gloriana’s Mike Gossin and Rachel Reiners, KJKE’s Kevin Christopher

The Band Perry Scores Another Gold Single

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The Band Perry’s latest hit “You Lie” has earned Gold certification from the RIAA for 500,000-plus paid downloads. This is the first single and hit for songwriters Aaron, Brian and Clara Henningsen.
“‘You Lie’ is full of spitfire and it’s our high-five to everyone who’s been the victim of a cheatin’ heart,” explains The Band Perry. “Only in Country music could a song about feeling fed-up be so much fun to sing. When we perform this one, we get a big ‘amen!’ back and we thank everyone who has joined in.”
“Plain and simple…this song has more hooks than a tackle box!” adds Jimmy Harnen, Republic Nashville President.
This follows the band’s huge hit “If I Die Young” which recently went Double Platinum. The self-titled debut album is moving about 11,000 units per week and has RTD sales of 655K (Soundscan).
Next up, The Band Perry will release love ballad, “All Your Life.”
TBP will headline a Samsung AT&T Summer Krush concert in Dallas, a portion of which will air Aug. 17 on Jimmy Kimmel Live! The Band Perry is currently on the road with Tim McGraw and looking forward to dates with Keith Urban (September) and Reba (October).
The sibling trio is also nominated for two Teen Choice Awards at the Sun., Aug. 7 show on Fox. Fans can vote at teenchoiceawards.com.
 

Antitrust Regulators Eye Google

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Amid scrutiny by federal antitrust regulators, Google is funneling more money than ever into lobbying efforts. According to a report by NPR, Google spent $2.06 million to influence lawmakers between April- June 2011, a 54 percent increase from the same period last year.
Last month the Federal Trade Commission opened an inquiry into Google.
The behemoth has been investigated before, mostly due to its mergers and acquisitions, but the new civil probe will examine its search-advertising business.
According to the Wall Street Journal, it will specifically look into “whether Google searches unfairly steer users to the company’s own growing network of services at the expense of rival providers.”
Eric Schmidt, Google’s executive chairman is set to appear before a Senate antitrust committee in September.

Benefit News: Josh Turner Raises $150K For Tornado Ravaged Town

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Josh Turner with UMG's Royce Risser, Joe Putnam, and fans at the Ringgold fundraiser.


Josh Turner’s recent benefit in Ringgold, GA brought in over $150,000 for the community devastated on April 27 by an EF-4 tornado. Despite pouring rain, he helped raise the spirits of area residents. All proceeds from the US101 sponsored event will be split evenly between the Ringgold Band and the Ringgold athletic fund. The storm destroyed about 50% of the town’s businesses, many homes and places of worship. Ringgold High School and Ringgold Middle School both suffered major damage. Sadly, nine lives were lost.
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James Otto’s Ottomaniacs came together to raise $4,000 for flood victims in Minot, ND as a result of his live streaming benefit concert on StageIt.com. Total proceeds from tips and ticket sales totaled $2,000, and one anonymous fan generously matched that amount bringing the total donation to $4,000. The benefit was part of the series Otto began in early June called “Thirsty Thursdays” in which he performs live streaming shows on StageIt.com from his home studio.
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Musicians Corner is hosting a benefit show to help fund its upcoming fall season of free music in Centennial Park. The benefit is July 24, 7 PM at 3rd & Lindsley featuring Pat McLaughlin, Humming House and Uncle Lucius. Tickets are $10 for General Admission and $25 for Reserved Seats, which includes a free Musicians Corner 2011 Membership and T Shirt. The show will be broadcast on Lightning 100 from 8-10 PM.
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Wynonna and HLN’s Robin Meade performed at the 2011 Independence Day Concert in Warner Robins, GA. The show aired July 4 on the Armed Forces Network.
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The North To Alaska Tour—Red Dirt in the Last Frontier, featured Bleu Edmondson, Stoney LaRue, Jason Boland, Wade Bowen, Roger Creager and Brandon Jenkins. Proceeds from three shows, complete with meet and greets with the artists, benefit children with autism.
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Lee Brice invited servicemen from VR-57 out of Naval Air Station North Island (San Diego, CA) up on stage while performing in Del Mar, CA on Willie Nelson’s Country Throwdown Tour.

Lee Brice honors service members on Willie Nelson's Country Throwdown Tour.

Industry Ink Thursday (7/21)

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MCA Nashville’s Ashton Shepherd hit six cities in five days to celebrate the release of her album Where Country Grows. She played to a near capacity crowd at Cotton Eyed Joe's in Knoxville at a show sponsored by WIVK. Shepherd also stopped in Atlanta, where she is pictured here with (L-R): MCA’s Van Haze, WKHX PD Mark Richards, and WKHX MD Mike Macho.


Artists Set For ICM Awards
The 17th Annual Inspirational Country Music Awards will include appearances by Lee Greenwood, Joey & Rory, Ricky Skaggs and The Roys. Popular television personalities Storme Warren and Megan Alexander will host the Oct. 28 show at Nashville’s Schermerhorn Symphony Center.
CMT Radio
Erin Duvall is joining the CMT Radio team in Nashville today as Associate Producer. She has worked for AOL’s The Boot and Country Aircheck and recently relocated back to Nashville from Los Angeles. In this role, Duvall will be responsible for helping to produce CMT’s radio programming, representing CMT Radio at industry events, conducting artist interviews, as well as writing the network’s prep materials that are sent nightly to CMT Radio Network’s over 160 radio affiliates.
Duvall will work closely with Curt Miller who has been promoted to the role of Producer, CMT Radio Network. Miller joined CMT Radio in November 2010 and previously held the position of Associate Producer after working with Fox 17’s Tennessee Mornings for five years. Both Duvall and Miller report to Jean Williams, Director of CMT Radio.
Turntable.fm
Turntable.fm has secured licenses with ASCAP and BMI. Users of the growing social music site join virtual crowds in themed rooms where they can listen to music selected by “DJs” or become a DJ themselves. The crowd can vote on each song selection and chat with each other.
Airplay Direct
AirPlay Direct has hired Lee Williams as Manager of International Development. He is the founder and owner of European country music radio station CMR, which is in its seventh year of broadcasting. Each month it reaches nearly 500,000 listeners around the world.

Colt Ford Taps Star Friends to Honor Hometown Heros

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Colt Ford


Colt Ford has recruited a fantastic line-up for a benefit concert next month in his hometown Athens, Ga. Set to perform are Rhett Akins, Jason Aldean, Dallas Davidson, Mike Dekel, Edwin McCain, and James Otto.
The Aug. 16 show at the Georgia Theater will benefit local police officers and their families who were victims of a recent shooting. Senior Police Officer Elmer “Buddy” Christian died, and Senior Police Officer Tony Howard was injured.
“I’ve known Tony for over 25 years, and both he and Buddy are and were pillars in this community, and I can’t stand by and not do something for their families during this difficult time due to such a brutal offense,” says Ford.
The evening will include a pre-show VIP cocktail reception and silent auction. “I want to raise as much money as we can through the auction, performances, and donation links, so I can’t thank my friends enough for joining together with me for this great cause,” said Ford.
General admission and VIP tickets will go on-sale Friday, July 22 at 10 a.m. ET here.

LeAnn Rimes Sets Fall Release Date

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LeAnn Rimes puts a female spin on classic country songs originally performed by men for her upcoming project, Lady and Gentlemen. Set for release Sept. 27 on Curb Records, Rimes offers songs first made popular by Waylon Jennings, George Jones, Merle Haggard and others. Last year Rimes released her remake of the John Anderson hit “Swingin.’”
Rimes fans will also find new material on the project. The bonus tracks include her current single, “Give,” as well as new cut “Crazy Women” and an updated recording of her 1996 debut hit, “Blue.”

Justin Niebank and John Hobbs produced the album, and Rimes, Vince Gill, and Darrell Brown served as executive producers.