Spotify Celebrates One Million Paid

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“It seems like only yesterday we were hatching ideas for a new music service in a tiny office-cum-apartment with a broken coffee machine, and the party we threw having reached one million users almost two years ago today was one to remember,” said Spotify founder Daniel Ek in his March 8 blog. “So it’s with a sense of real pride and excitement that we can announce a new milestone today, having welcomed our millionth paying subscriber to the service. It’s a testament to our fantastic users who continue to support us and spread the Spotify word, either by telling friends or sharing some of the 200 million playlists that you’ve put together so far.”

Daniel Ek


Spotify has about 10 million registered users across the U.K., Finland, France, Netherlands, Sweden, Norway and Spain and a song catalog with over 10 million tracks. The company offers a free ad-supported channel with a cap on total time per month, and a paid subscription offering with better quality sound that also allows users to enjoy the service on mobile devices. Reports say that Spotify lost $26 million in 2009, however the pace of success has been accelerating in recent months. For example, the first goup of 250,000 subscribers took 21 months to amass. However, the last group, from 750,000-1 million took a scant three months.
Of course the biggest single question mark now hanging over Spotify, is its ability to seal the deal with the U.S. labels and launch on this side of the big pond. Reports indicate that Sony and EMI in fact have formed agreements to enable a U.S. launch, but that leaves WMG and Universal still deciding. Should the service successfully negotiate, its next big set of metrics will find it being measured against iTunes which controls the digital market stateside.

BMG Chrysalis Combines Name, Staff

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Now operating under the new moniker BMG Chrysalis, the growing music company continues to rework its top leadership. The name change follows the news that the BMG’s acquisition of Chrysalis is complete.
Last week it was announced that Chief Executive Officer Jeremy Lascelles will leave his post at the end of the month. Lascelles, a longtime Chrysalis executive, steered the company during its $175 million purchase by BMG Rights Management last year. He joined Chrysalis in 1994.
In late February, Hartwig Masuch, CEO of BMG Rights Management, announced that the new BMG Chrysalis will be led in the UK by Alexi Cory-Smith and John Dobinson. Steven Moran is the global Chief Operating Officer.
Nashville is already feeling the trickle-down effect from these changes, with today’s news of downsizing at the company’s EverGreen office. More news is expected as the local offices continue to merge.
In a separate, ongoing story, BMG Chrysalis is one of the potential purchasers for Warner Music Group.

Nashville Hootenanny Showcases Rising Talent

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Nashville Hootenanny founder David Malloy with the showcase's signature owl logo.


The monthly Nashville Hootenanny at Westwood Studios is a burgeoning showcase for unsigned talent.
The event started about six months ago when producer/hit songwriter David Malloy invited friends over to his then recently purchased Westwood Studios to enjoy a night of music. Since then, the showcase has become a monthly fixture, with over 150 artists playing the event. Malloy says he is specifically not seeking signed artists, in order to help indies “break through the system.”
Nashville Hootenanny has fostered a loyal online following, with more than 1400 people tuning in for its February showcase. The event is streamed live and there is also an accompanying live chat for viewers. Each artist performs two songs, keeping the show moving at a lively pace. Among past guests have been successful songwriters Jessi Alexander and Jon Randall (see video below).
In addition to the live streaming the Hootenanny website offers clips from past performances, as well as interviews with industry execs, including manager Scott Siman and engineer Chuck Ainlay.
The February event was a “Teen Hoot” hosted by You Tube sensation CJaye LeRose, with Nickelodeon star Devon Werkheiser, Lilly Winwood (daughter of Steve Winwood), and America’s Got Talent finalist Julienne Irwin.
Members of the music industry are invited to the monthly series. The next Hoot is March 26 at 8 PM.

Ferlin Husky Hospitalized

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Country Music Hall of Fame inductee Ferlin Husky is in a Nashville area hospital. According to news reports, he is in the critical care unit.
The 85-year-old singer has been in ailing health in recent months.
His career breakthrough came from his part in the Jean Shepard hit “A Dear John Letter.” The two reunited later for the follow up answer song, “Forgive Me John.”
Husky topped the Billboard Country singles chart for 10 weeks in 1957 with “Gone.” In 1960, Husky released his signature hit, “Wings of a Dove,” which was once again No. 1 on the Billboard Country singles chart for 10 weeks.
Husky has dabbled in acting and made appearances on several of the top television variety shows of the time, including The Steve Allen Show and Toast of the Town.

Husky pictured at the May 23, 2010 Medallion Ceremony for his induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame (L-R): Steve Buchanan, CMA President of the Board and Senior Vice President, Media and Entertainment, Gaylord Entertainment; Steve Moore, CMA Chairman of the Board; Kyle Young, Director, Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum; 2010 Country Music Hall of Fame inductee Ferlin Husky; and 2010 Country Music Hall of Fame inductee Billy Sherrill. Photo Credit: 2010, John Russell/CMA.



Date Set For CMT Awards

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The CMT Music Awards will take place Wed., June 8, organizers announced today (3/8). No other details were revealed.
This date coincides with the CMA Music Festival, which will take over downtown Nashville June 9-12.
Last year the CMT Music Awards took place at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena, and tickets were available for fans to purchase.

Star-Studded TV Special Celebrates Kenny Rogers' 50-year Career

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(L-R): Smokey Robinson, Linda Davis, Chris Isaak, Dolly Parton, Kenny Rogers, Lionel Richie, and the Oak Ride Boys perform during the TV taping in April 2010. Photo: Rahav Segev/Retna Ltd.


Kenny Rogers is the subject of a new GAC special documenting his 50-year career. Taped at the MGM Grand At Foxwoods in Connecticut, the performance show features Rogers with a slew of guests including: Dolly Parton, Lionel Richie, Alison Krauss, Smokey Robinson, Chris Issak, Tim McGraw, Wynonna, Billy Currington, Darius Rucker, Sheena Easton, The Oak Ridge Boys, and the original First Edition.
Kenny Rogers: The First 50 Years will debut tonight (3/8) at 8:30 p.m. EST on Great American Country (GAC). Executive Producer/Writer Kelly Junkermann mixed in vintage clips and interviews with the live performances.
Rogers has also released his first Gospel album, exclusively at Cracker Barrel. The Love of God collection features guest vocals by Point of Grace, The Whites and others. Among the beloved songs on the album are “Will The Circle Be Unbroken,” “I’ll Fly Away,” “Amazing Grace,” and “Leaning On The Everlasting Arms.”

Lionel Richie, Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers perform. Photo credit: Rahav Segev/ Retna Ltd.

[updated] Tim Allen, Jan Rodgers Exit BMG Chrysalis's EverGreen

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[updated] Jan Perry Rodgers left EverGreen at the end of 2010. She is freelancing for publishers, managers, and producers and can be reached at janpr@comcast.net or 615-604-8991 (cell).
Tim Allen exited his position as Director of Licensing with BMG’s EverGreen office last week. He has worked in publishing for 17 years and had been with the company for 14 of those, surviving several changes in ownership. At least one other licensing staff member also exited.
Allen was originally hired as Licensing Manager for Integrated Copyright Group (ICG) in 1996. EverGreen Copyrights purchased ICG in 2006, and Allen was promoted to Director of Licensing. BMG purchased EverGreen Copyrights in October 2010.
Allen’s recent negotiations include numerous film and television placements such as “Country Strong” for the film of the same name, and ad campaigns for Chevy and AT&T. He also helped create the licensing module of ICG’s proprietary software, and EverGreen’s e-store allowing consumers to purchase license agreements online.
Allen can be reached via e-mail at tim.allen.nash@gmail.com or by phone at 615-498-6769.

Tin Pan South Preview Party Today

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Industry guests are invited to today’s (3/8) Tin Pan South 2011 Preview Party. The show is 3:30-5:30 p.m. at The Rutledge, and will give organizers a chance to reveal details about this year’s festival. There will also be performances by Marshall Chapman, Marty Dodson, Sandra McCracken and Steve Wariner. The event is sponsored by NSAI and ole; with drinks provided by Jack Daniel’s, Glaceau Water and Ajax Turner; and food provided by Maggiano’s Little Italy. Free valet parking.
The 19th Annual Tin Pan South Songwriters Festival will be held Tuesday, March 29 – Saturday, April 2, in Nashville. Produced by NSAI, the world’s largest all-songwriter festival offers 75+ shows. Fast Access Passes let guests club-hop with preferred admission, and go on sale tomorrow (3/9) at tinpansouth.com. Proceeds from the festival support the Nashville Songwriters Association International.

Artist Action: Kix Brooks Dabbles In Acting

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Kix Brooks


Kix Brooks recently completed a small acting role in the upcoming movie Thriftstore Cowboy. According to an interview with the Associated Press, Brooks describes the film as “kind of a modern age urban cowboy scenario.” The star has also accepted a leading role in another film, The Last Ride, which will be shot in May in Arizona.
Brooks also hosts the radio show American Country Countdown and owns Arrington Vineyard in Tennessee. He is reportedly working on a new solo album that will be released on a Sony imprint.
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Condolences to artist Emma Jacob on the passing of her mother Linda Chapman during CRS last week. Ms. Chapman apparently died from a sudden heart attack while watching her daughter perform at an event. Donations can be made in her memory to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital.
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Alan Jackson launched his first tour of Australia over the weekend with a sold-out show at the Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne. Last night he was scheduled to headline CMC Rocks the Hunter Festival in Hunter Valley, then travel to Sydney today, and end with a three-night stand in Brisbane later this week. All six shows sold out within minutes when tickets went on sale last fall.
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GRAMMY-winning guitar virtuoso Steve Wariner has launched a series of short instructional video clips at www.stevewariner.com, in which he plays songs from his new Guitar Laboratory CD, demonstrating various licks and showing aspiring guitarists how to capture the same sounds.
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The Dixie Chicks documentary Shut Up & Sing will air on CMT for the first time. The film explores the controversy surrounding the band and the making of their 2006 album Taking the Long Way. The show airs Saturday, March 26 at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT.

Halper Exits Skyville As Private Practice Ramps Up

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Wayne Halper has departed his part-time position as head of business and legal affairs for Skyville Records, and plans to focus his attention on his law practice and management clients.
“My commitments to my clients and management roster have resulted in my being able to devote less time to Skyville than I would have liked,” says Halper. “Given the strong full-time team, I leave knowing Stealing Angels is in the best possible hands with Wally Wilson, Paul Worley and Kevin Herring. Their combined creative energy will bring the company and Stealing Angels great success.”
Halper currently serves as Head of Worldwide Business Development for Perpetuum Jazzile, a choir from Slovenia whose innovative rendition of the Toto hit “Africa” has garnered over 10 million hits on YouTube. The group is curently planning a US tour for Summer 2011. Additionally, Halper manages singer/instrumentalist Kate Lee and Native American group Brulé. He also heads legal affairs for multiplatform media streaming company iClips Network.
“It has been an dynamic year of growth for these clients, and being part of such almost unprecedented success has made me focus very hard on my schedule,” continues Halper. “To be breaking ground, doing global business and exploring cutting edge technology as a business person requires focus and time — and out of respect for everyone I’ve been blessed/fortunate to be associated with, this seems to be the best solution for everyone.”
Reach Halper at wayne.halper@comcast.net or 615-429-8500.