Industry Ink: SESAC Awards, SongWriters Fest, Mow the Row

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SESAC’s Nashville Music Awards has been set for Monday, November 7 at the company’s Nashville headquarters. The invitation only event, which honors the top songwriters and publishers in country and Americana, awarded Lady Antebellum’s Hillary Scott with its coveted Songwriter of the Year honor in 2010.
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The 9th Annual Nashville SongWriters Festival tunes up tomorrow, offering original music, professional instruction and open jam sessions. The festival runs June 3-5 in and around the Music Row area. Registration is currently open. Check http://www.songwritersfestival.com/ for details.
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The popular Mow the Row Lawnmower race on Demonbreun, benefiting the Hospitality House in honor of Joshua Ragsdale, has been postponed. Originally set for June 7, the event will now be rescheduled for later. Watch mowtherow.com for updates.
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Registration for IBMA’s World of Bluegrass 2011 in Nashville opens today. The week-long event runs September 26 – October 2 and features a business conference, the International Bluegrass Music Awards, and the Bluegrass Fan Fest. More info at http://worldofbluegrass.org/
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At the International Country Music Conference held recently at Belmont University, the Belmont Book Award for best book on country music was presented to Bar Biszick-Lockwood for her book Restless Giant: The Life and Times of Jean Aberback & Hill and Range Songs. Additionally, the Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Ralph Emery by Belmont Book Awards founder and Chair Don Cusic (pictured below).

(L-R): Cusic, Biszick-Lockwood, Emery.

Ole Ups Buenahora To GM

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Arthur Buenahora


ole has announced the promotion of Arthur Buenahora to the position of General Manager, Nashville Creative. Buenahora, who joined ole in March 2010 as Senior Creative Director, will continue to be located in the Nashville office overseeing its staff and roster. He will also sign new writers and collaborate with ole Chief Creative Officer Gilles Godard on issues effecting Nashville operations.
“Arthur has proven his ability to generate business in a strategic and effective manner,” says ole President Michael McCarty. “Among his accomplishments at ole is the development of Charlie Worsham, who we believe is a future superstar recording artist. We are confident that Arthur’s continuing leadership of the Nashville Creative team will result in even more momentum and success for ole in Country music.”
In previous music publishing and label A&R positions, he has signed and helped to develop a number of country music’s brightest stars including Dierks Bentley, Miranda Lambert, Eric Church and Taylor Swift.
ole is one of the world’s largest independent music publishers. Founded in 2004, and with offices in Toronto, Nashville and Los Angeles, ole boasts a team of over 30 experienced industry professionals focused on acquisitions, creative development and worldwide administration. ole has been named Canadian Country Music Association’s Music Publishing Company of the Year for the past four years and earned its first Grammy Award in 2009 for Best Country Song, “White Horse.”
 

Big Machine and Curb Sponsored Car Wins Indy 500

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Scott Borchetta got to have a victory celebration of a different kind along with Mike Curb at the Indy 500 on Sunday (5/29). The record label chiefs/racing buffs sponsored driver Dan Wheldon in the No. 98 William Rast/aigo/Curb/Big Machine/Forsythe Solutions/Dallara/Honda/Firestone car for Bryan Herta Autosport/Curb-Agajanian, which wound up in the winner’s circle after the historic 100th Anniversary Indy 500.
“Growing up a racer, this is the ultimate win, the ultimate race highlight and just one of the best racing experiences of my life,” says Borchetta. “To share it with my family, my label and all the incredible people involved with driver Dan Wheldon as well as Bryan Herta and his race team was a dream come true. One of the best days ever.”
After 200 laps on the 2.5 mile track, 2005 Indy 500 winner Wheldon emerged as the victor. With only 10 laps remaining, Wheldon passed both Bertrand Baguette and Scott Dixon, before overtaking rookie JR Hildebrand who hit the wall in the final turn.
The No. 98 car will be on display until October 23 in the Air Force One Pavilion alongside the No. 98 Centennial NASCAR Sprint Cup car. It was inducted into the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Library on May 27 as part of the Ronald Reagan Centennial Celebration honoring the former President’s 100th birthday.

(L-R): Mike Curb, Scott Borchetta, Dan Wheldon, Bryan Herta, Steve Newey; Photo: Dan R. Boyd

Amber Hayes Heads To Silver Screen

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FUNL Music artist Amber Hayes poses on the set of the film “Cowgirls N’ Angels.” Hayes with cast members (L-R) Frankie Faison, Richie McDonald, Hayes and James Cromwell.



Amber Hayes has landed her first movie role in Cowgirls N’ Angels due out in 2012. The FUNL Music recording artist has extensive theater experience, including a leading role as Kathy Twitty in the 2008 critically acclaimed Conway Twitty musical It’s Only Make Believe, but this will be her first appearance on the silver screen. Hayes appropriately plays a supporting role as honky tonk singer Amber Grant and two of her original songs, “C’mon” and “Right as Rain,” from her 2010 EP release C’mon will be included in the movie and its soundtrack.
“I’m really grateful to the cast, crew and director Timothy Armstrong for including me and my music in the film,” says Hayes. “I had a wonderful time trying my hand at something new. I’m so excited to see the finished movie next year!”
Hayes’ current single, “Wait,” continues to climb Country radio charts, with the song’s music video receiving airplay at The Country Network, GACTV.com and Yallwire.com. She has been touring with FUNL Music label mate Ty Herndon in recent weeks.
Co-written by Armstrong and Stephen Blinn, Cowgirls N’ Angels is the coming-of-age story of Ida Clayton (played by Bailee Madison), a rebellious young girl in search of her rodeo-riding father. While searching for her dad, she connects with the Sweethearts of the Rodeo, a team of young female rodeo riders run by former rodeo star Terence Parker. Recognizing Ida’s innate talent for trick riding, Terence recruits her for their ranks. Accepted wholeheartedly by her new “family,” Ida finds a new passion that redefines her life — and she also may find the father she’s been searching for.
Produced by Ben Feingold, Sweethearts LLC and Sense and Sensibility Ventures LLC, Cowgirls N’ Angels is expected to wrap production this week in Oklahoma. The film was shot in several cities and communities across the state, including Stillwater, Guthrie, Pawnee and Oklahoma City, which is only 90 miles from Hayes’ hometown of Weleetka, Okla.

DISClaimer Single Reviews (6/1/11)

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When the Americana Music Association announced its 2011 awards contenders recently, it jolted me into awareness of how long it has been since I penned an Americana review column.

How long has it been? Well, let’s just say that in the elapsed time, Todd Snider, David Olney and Those Darlins have issued two albums apiece. Ouch.
There is much to like in this week’s overview. So much, in fact, that I’m dividing the Disc of the Day prize into Female, Male and Group awards. The Female disc belongs to 2011 AMA nominee Elizabeth Cook. The Male award goes to the enduringly great David Olney. And the Group prize belongs to the ultra listenable Drew Holcomb & The Neighbors.
ELIZABETH COOK/El Camino
Writer: Elizabeth Cook; Producer: Don Was; Publisher: Agent Love, SESAC; 31 Tigers (track) (www.elizabeth-cook.com)
—He picks her up in a deadbeat’s vehicle. She has a few snarky words for that while the band clomps along rhythmically. This rollicking little thumper is nominated for this year’s Song of the Year by the AMA, and Elizabeth’s brilliant Welder CD from which it comes is a well-deserved Album of the Year nominee.
DAVID OLNEY/Sunset on Sunset Boulevard
Writer: David Olney; Producer: Jack Irwin; Publisher: David Olney/Bug, BMI; Deadbeet (track) (www.davidolney.com)
—Olney has two current projects—his Dutchman’s Curve CD of last year and a new five-song collection called Film Noir. Both are among the best produced discs of his career. This spooky tune closes the latter set with its dark tales of coldly ambitious Hollywood wanna-be’s, faded liquored-up stars and phonies. By the way, you can watch this gifted troubadour perform live every Tuesday at 6 p.m. at TinyUrl.com/DavidOlneyTV.
JOE ELY/Satisfied at Last
Writer: Joe Ely; Producer: none listed; Publisher: Tornado Temple, BMI; Rack ‘Em (track) (www.ely.com)
—The title tune to this timeless Texas treasure’s latest album finds him singing with vigor over an echoey, chiming guitar track. He’s singing of mortality, but he’s mighty robust and vital about it. Heartily recommended, as always.
TODD SNIDER/Money, Compliments, Publicity
Writer: Todd Snider; Producer: Don Was; Publisher: Nobody’s Collecting on These Songs/Bug, BMI; Aimless/Yep Roc (track) (www,toddsnider.net)
—You really should own every CD this guy’s ever made. The two current ones are a live album and a studio set titled The Excitement Plan. The latter contains this wonderfully sardonic ode from the funniest East Nashville loser’s voice ever. Genius is not too strong a word.
HAYS CARLL & CARY ANN HEARST/Another Like You
Writer: Hayes Carll; Producer: Brad Jones; Publisher: Highway 87/Bug, SESAC; Lost Highway (track) (www.hayescarll.com)
—Speaking of funny, this man tickles folks everywhere he goes. He won last year’s AMA Song of the Year award with “She Left Me for Jesus.” He’s nominated this year for the title tune to his “KMAG YOYO” CD. But for a real treat, check out this mutually insulting—and profane—duet on the collection.
JASON ISBELL & THE 400 UNIT/Go It Alone
Writer: Jason Isbell; Producer: Jason Isbell & The 400 Unit; Publisher: Fame, BMI; Lightning Rod (track) (www.jasonisbell.com)
—Jason is Hayes Carll’s sometime touring partner this year. His current Here We Rest collection contains this ominous rocker. His tenor vocal fronts some smart, crunchy chops by the tight 400 Unit.
LUCINDA WILLIAMS/Blessed
Writer: Lucinda Williams; Producer: Don Was, Eric Liljestrand & Thomas Overby; Publisher: none listsed; Lost Highway (track) (www.lucindawilliams.com)
—Lucinda’s Blessed is a contender for AMA Album of the Year in 2011. Its emotional title tune finds truth and beauty in a blind man, a battered wife, a fallen soldier, a neglected child, a homeless man, a prisoner and more who teach us about grace and forgiveness. Heartfelt.
DREW HOLCOMB & THE NEIGHBORS/Live Forever
Writer: none listed; Producer: Andy Hunt; Publisher: none listed; Dualtone (track) (615-320-0620)
—When this aired on the soundtrack of an NBC Parenthood episode last season, a firestorm of downloading reportedly ensued. It’s easy to hear why. This is a majestic, ethereal audio landscape. By the time Drew gets to its inspiring chorus of hope and strength, your heart is in your throat. I have made no secret of my admiration for this artist, and now he’s reached me even more deeply. The album is titled Chasing Someday. Buy it at once.
THOSE DARLINS/Red Light Love
Writer: Those Darlins; Producer: Jeff Curtin & Those Darlins; Publisher: none listed, BMI; Oh Wow Dang (track) (www.thosedarlins.com)
—This bashing, neo-punk trio has a new CD called Screws Get Loose with a video, “Be Your Bro.” The latter is a direct descendent of this thrashy, Ramones-like track from the original Those Darlins album.
GREG TROOPER/They Call Me Hank
Writer: Greg Trooper; Producer: Stewart Lerman, Kevin McKendree & Greg Trooper; Publisher: 52 Shakes, BMI; 52 Shakes (track) (www.gregtrooper.com)
—This track from Greg’s Upside-Down Town collection is being hailed as a Song of the Year contender by many. His raspy, resigned vocal is perfect for this moving portrait of a wino who sells catfish he catches for the bucks to buy his booze. This is what real song writing is, people.
 

Artist Action: Chesney's Million Tickets, Kings of Leon's New Video

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Kenny Chesney has crossed the million tickets sold marker for his current Corona Presents Kenny Chesney’s Goin’ Coastal Tour, which is the eighth time in his career to reach this milestone. Since 2002, Chesney has sold nearly 10 million tickets and after taking much of 2010 off from touring, he’s back on the road in stadiums and arenas. His full summer itinerary is here. Chesney’s current single “You and Tequila” features rocker Grace Potter (pictured) and is climbing charts everywhere.
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Stoney Creek Records artist Ash Bowers has created a Homegrown Hero contest to recognize and reward a local hero who has made an impact on a community. The contest started Monday, and runs through July 1. Bowers’ current single “I Still Believe In That” inspired the contest, which will award a lucky winner with a $5,000 cash prize. Fans can nominate their local hero by submitting a short essay explaining what makes the person a homegrown hero on Bowers’ Facebook page.
Bowers’ Stoney Creek labelmates Thompson Square will turn up on Fox News’ Fox & Friends All American Concert Series Friday, June 3 during the 7 pm CT hour. They’re also due to appear at the 2011 CMT Awards, where they are nominated for Duo of the Year and USAWeekend Breakthrough Video of the Year.
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Kings of Leon premiered the video for its new single “Back Down South” yesterday (5/31) on Vevo. Shot in May outside Nashville, the video was directed by Casey McGrath (Talihina Sky, Pyro) and features the band performing live outdoors. Visitors who ‘Like’ Kodak’s Facebook page can check out behind-the-scenes footage from the shoot. MLB Network will be featuring the video beside baseball highlights through 6/6. See the video here.
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Clint Black received a Twitter message from NASA over the holiday weekend, to inform him that his “Galaxy Song” was played to wake up the crews of Endeavour and Expedition 28. The message was “Astronauts and space station crew awoke to ‘Galaxy Song’ by Clint Black, played for the entire crew on their last day at station.” Black Tweeted in response, “As a child, I dreamed of being an astronaut.  And now one of my songs is an astronaut. I hope they gave it some Tang.”

Benefit News: Toby Keith, Stealing Angels, Nashville Sounds

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Toby Keith recently completed his 8th annual Toby Keith & Friends Golf Classic with more than $650,000 raised toward construction of the OK Kids Korral, a home for children undergoing treatment for cancer.
The “Denim & Diamonds’ themed event was sold out with more than 750 people attending the dinner and auction. The top auction items at the event included two dinners with Toby, which went for $52,000 each, and an all-inclusive elk hunt which went for $30,000.
For information, visit www.tobykeithfoundation.org

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Stealing Angels and American Humane Association join forces to raise awareness for Red Star Animal Emergency Services™. American Humane Association’s 82-foot-long Red Star Rescue Rig is responding to the disasters in Memphis and Joplin, saving animals affected by floods and tornadoes.
A multi-city tour will kick off in Washington, D.C. on June 9 with the Red Star Rescue Rig and Stealing Angels. Fans can text PROTECT to 85944 to donate $10 and support efforts to provide aid to animal victims of disaster.

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During the month of June, Nashville Sounds fans can designate $4 of each ticket to Musicians On Call (MOC) by using the promotional code MOC2011 when purchasing online or at the box office. MOC delivers the healing power of music to the bedsides of patients in healthcare facilities.
An MOC commemorative jersey will be worn by the Sounds when they face the New Orleans Zephyrs on Saturday, June 25th, which will be auctioned off to those in attendance, along with other Sounds merchandise. MOC is also hosting an online auction now through mid-June, featuring autographed items from several of country music’s biggest stars, including Dolly Parton, Kenny Chesney and Carrie Underwood.
Country stars Joe Nichols and Steel Magnolia will perform at the Fifth Annual Country Weekly Fashion Show & Concert on June 7 at Rocketown.
“The Country Weekly Fashion Show is a fun way to kick off CMA Music Fest,” says Nichols. “Music fans can sit back, relax and see their favorite artists doing something a little different. Of course, some have that catwalk fashion show strut down a little better than others! But no matter who struts their stuff better, it’s always a fun evening of music and fashion.”
The event, which will be emceed by GAC’s Suzanne Alexander, will also benefit Musicians On Call.
General admission tickets are on sale at Ticketmaster for $30 and a few VIP tickets are available for $75 and $125 on the MOC website.
For more information, visit www.musiciansoncall.org and www.nashvillesounds.com

Donna Hughes Joins Capitol/EMI Records Nashville

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Capitol/EMI Records Nashville has hired Country radio and television veteran Donna Hughes as National Director/Radio Syndication. Hughes will report directly to Capitol SVP Promotion Steve Hodges. In her new role, Hughes’ responsibilities will include spearheading national syndication, major contests/events, and special audio/video content for radio.
“Bringing Donna on board is a huge score for the Capitol/EMI family,” says Hodges. “I have admired her work in the past and am eager for her to get started in this position that has no boundaries and limitless potential. Her enthusiasm for the music and artists is tremendously infectious!”
“It’s hard to find words to describe how excited I am for this new opportunity…and for anyone who knows me, that says a lot!” says Hughes. “I’ve been in this wonderful business for 23 years, and I’m still a fan of the music and the artists that make the music – especially people like Keith Urban, Lady Antebellum, Little Big Town, Luke Bryan, Darius Rucker, Dierks Bentley and Alan Jackson. I have so much respect for Mike Dungan, Steve Hodges, and the entire Capitol/EMI team – I’m thrilled to be joining them.”
Prior to joining Capitol/EMI Records Nashville, Hughes served as Executive Producer of the nationally syndicated radio program GAC Nights: Live From Nashville; Senior Producer for Premiere Radio Networks and talent booker for the Jeff Foxworthy Countdown.  She also worked on the Rick and Rice show on Nashville’s Rockin’ Country 102.9, Crook and Chase, and Music City Tonight. In 2006, Hughes received the prestigious CMA Media Achievement Award. She is the first and only syndicated radio person to earn this award.
Starting June 15, she can be reached at donna.hughes@emicap.com or 615-269-2046.

Band Perry's Double Platinum Cert, "Save The Music" For VH1

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The Band Perry’s star keeps rising. The Republic Nashville sibling trio’s current single “You Lie” has already reached No. 1 on the CountryBreakout Chart and sits inside the Top 10 on the monitored airplay charts. And now the group’s previous smash single “If I Die Young” has been certified double platinum by the RIAA for sales exceeding 2 million.
“It’s been an amazing year! So many have embraced the message of ‘If I Die Young’ and we are humbled that it has impacted so many people. This is truly an honor,” said The Band Perry.
Tomorrow (6/2), The Band Perry will perform as part of VH1 Save The Music Foundation’s Songwriters Music Series, Presented by Starburst. The series launched in New York with Glee star Matthew Morrison, continues with TBP in Nashville, and will hop to Los Angeles with a performer yet to be announced.
The excitement for The Band Perry doesn’t end there. They’re spending a hefty portion of summer on the road, headlining some of their own dates as well as opening Tim McGraw’s Emotional Traffic Tour (tour schedule here). They are also set to attend the CMT Music Awards June 8, where they are nominated for Video of the Year, Group of the Year, and USAWeekend Breakthrough Video of the Year.

Sales Wrap Gaga Style

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Lady Gaga leaves the industry wide eyed, open mouthed and smiling as she deftly scoops first week sales of Born this Way totaling 1.108 million. In the process her album becomes the 17th to break the one-million-in-one-week mark since the start of the SoundScan era in 1991. Nashvillians will recall that No. 16 on that list was Taylor Swift who splashed onto the scoreboard with 1.05 million units last year. Gaga also stormed the digital singles chart with four tracks selling over 30k each. Her song “Edge Of Glory” downloaded 164k for the week.
There’s also news on the country chart, but before we shift gears let’s note a few things. First an amazing 60% of the Gaga album sales were in digital form, about 660k units. Of those, unconfirmed reports estimate about 450k were sold at Amazon for 99¢, without which the album would never have broken the one million barrier. The bargain sale price meant that Amazon took a loss on the sales—not the record label—but one can certainly debate what this gambit will do to the price/value of music in the consumer’s mind, going forward??
A Paisley Design
Brad Paisley took top country positioning this week as his new album This Is Country Music rides atop the Current Country sales chart with first week totals of about 153k. Compilation debuts from Idol’s Scotty McCreery (No. 3; 23k) and Lauren Alaina (No. 9; 10.5k) also landed inside the country Top 10. On the country tracks chart McCreery and Alaina ruled the top two spots with “I Love You This Big” downloading over 170k units and “Like My Mother Does” churning over 120k.
Debuts from Warner’s Frankie Ballard (No. 33; 2,700) and Show Dog’s Carter’s Chord (No. 48; 1,700) also entered the chart. (Even with Top 75 country sales up 71% this week vs. last week (475k total) it only took 716 units to earn a spot on the list.)
The Big Picture—Albums
All genre album sales YTD are now up .4%. Not a huge uptick, but how long has it been since we were able to report any uptick in this category? Country album sales YTD remain in negative territory, -5.3%, but they have been improving of late.
The Big Picture—Tracks
Track sales are showing 10% YTD gains as we complete the first five months of 2011 with sales of about 536 million. Country track sales account for about 57 million or 10.6% of that track sales total.
Coming Soon
Upcoming country album projects can be found here. Potential future standouts with respect to sales include Ronnie Dunn (June 7), Blake Shelton (July 12) and Chris Young (July 12).
A Penny For Your Thoughts?
What about pricing albums for 99¢? What does that mean for this industry going forward? Comment below.