TV Roundup: John Rich, Lady Antebellum

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John Rich will follow in the footsteps of Trace Adkins and Clint Black as he joins the upcoming season of Celebrity Apprentice, Donald Trump revealed yesterday (1/13) on Late Night With Jimmy Fallon. The season kicks off March 6 and the typically bonkers cast includes LaToya Jackson, Gary Busey, Star Jones, Real Housewives of Atlanta’s NeNe Leakes, former baseball star Jose Canseco, Lisa Rinna, David Cassidy, supermodel Niki Taylor, Survivor winner Richard Hatch, Marlee Matlin, Meat Loaf, Mark McGrath, Playboy Playmate Hope Dworacyzk, Lil Jon, and Dionne Warwick.
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Lady Antebellum’s current hit single “Hello World” will be featured on an upcoming episode of NBC’s drama NCIS, which will air Tuesday, January 18. Fresh off a massive 2010, Lady Antebellum is currently nominated for six Grammys and its hit “Need You Now” will be featured on the 2011 Grammy Nominees Album available January 25.

Wii Game Blends Country Hits With Dancing

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GameMill Entertainment recently announced Country Dance for the Nintendo Wii, a one of a kind interactive dance video game featuring over 25 country hits. Slated for a Spring release, Country Dance will include the following songs and more:
Carrie Underwood – “Cowboy Casanova”
Brad Paisley – “Water”
Sugarland – “Stuck Like Glue”
Trace Adkins – “Honky Tonk Badonkadonk”
Zac Brown Band – “Chicken Fried”
Rascal Flatts – “Life Is A Highway”
Blake Shelton – “All About Tonight”
Miranda Lambert – “White Liar”
Johnny Cash – “Ring of Fire”
Developed by High Voltage Software, Country Dance will support up to four players in both collaborative and competitive modes. Players will use the Wii Remote to replicate onscreen dance moves, and new songs and rewards will be unlocked as play progresses.
“With the popularity of country music and the dance genre, it seemed fitting to come out with a dance game featuring some of country’s most popular artists and songs,” says Gary Miller, President at GameMill Entertainment. “Between the top-notch choreography and chart-topping hits, this game is sure to get the entire country dancing!”
Now might be a good time to start perfecting the choreography from the “Cowboy Casanova” video.

Benefit News

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Lady A & Friends Star in 4th Annual Dustin J. Wells Foundation Gift of Music Concert • Clay Walker To Host Second Annual MS Benefit • “A Night of Nostalgia” with Jo Dee Messina

Lady A & Friends Star in 4th Annual Dustin J. Wells Foundation Gift of Music Concert

Lady Antebellum will headline the fourth annual Dustin J. Wells Foundation Gift of Music concert Friday, February 18, at the Wildhorse Saloon in downtown Nashville. Additional special guests will be announced in the coming weeks. All proceeds benefit Nashville’s W. O. Smith Music School. A select group of students will also perform.
The Dustin J. Wells Foundation was established by Nashville cosmetic dentist, Dr. Dennis Wells to honor the memory of his son. The foundation has raised nearly $200,000 for the W. O. Smith Music School. For more information on the Dustin J. Wells Foundation log on to www.dustinsgiftofmusic.com and for more information on the W.O. Smith Music School, log on to www.wosmith.org.

Clay Walker To Host Second Annual MS Benefit

On March 2, country artist Clay Walker will host the second annual Chords of Hope: The Clay Walker MS Benefit Concert at the Wildhorse Saloon. The concert, presented by 98 WSIX and produced by Clay’s charity, Band Against MS (BAMS), will help raise money and awareness for multiple sclerosis (MS) research with proceeds going to the Vanderbilt University Medical Center. Tickets for the concert, being held during the National MS Education and Awareness Month, are on sale now through the Wildhorse Saloon, www.wildhorsesaloon.com.
After being diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in 1996, Walker founded BAMS, a not-for-profit public charity committed to providing educational information and funding programs for those living with MS, and funding programs researching a cure for the disease. To date BAMS, www.bandagainstms.org, has raised more than 2 million dollars.

“A Night of Nostalgia” with Jo Dee Messina

Jo Dee Messina will be the special guest performer at “A Night of Nostalgia,” a Valentine celebration at Loews Vanderbilt Hotel, located on West End. Messina will perform songs from the 1920‘s and 30‘s at this romantic event, hosted by Holy Trinity Montessori School. Guests will enjoy light fare, dance to the big band music of the Pat Patrick Show Band, and have the opportunity to bid on fabulous auction packages. Also, the Bellevue School of Dance will have instructors to teach some fun group line dances to all.
Auction items that evening include tickets to Brad Paisley’s February 26 concert along with limo transportation to the concert and a personal “meet and greet” with Brad; an Escape Day Spa package, a Loews Destination Retreat; a Cottage Get-Away weekend at Blackberry Farms, a chance to go “pick” with Mike Wolfe, owner of Antique Archaeology and host of American Pickers, and many more items. Tickets are available online at www.anightofnostalgia.com.

McDonough Re-Activates JEMMedia

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Veteran publicist Judy McDonough has re-activated her PR company, JEMMedia. Most recently she worked with Nancy Russell’s management company the co-op until just before the holidays. Shortly before joining the co-op McDonough worked with Republic Nashville doing publicity for acts such as The Band Perry. Before that she served as Director of Media and Public Relations at Capitol Nashville.
“I missed having my own company, and am delighted to be back to the business of JEMMedia!” McDonough said. Her new company roster includes music festival MerleFest.
JEMMedia can be reached at 615-243-5994 or mcdonoughmedia1@yahoo.com

Carter's Chord Signs With UMPG

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Show Dog-Universal Music’s Carter’s Chord has signed an exclusive songwriter and publishing agreement with UMPG Nashville. They are currently in the studio working on their new album, co-produced by Toby Keith and Mark Wright, to be released in 2011. Their new single, “A Little Less Comfortable” written by UMPG Nashville’s Emily, Joanna and Philip White will be available February 1.

Pictured (l-r): (Front row seated) Becky Robertson, Emily Robertson. Back row: Carter’s Chord Manager/President TKO Artist Management TK Kimbrell, Universal Music Publishing – Nashville President Pat Higdon, Joanna Robertson and Show Dog – Universal Music President Mark Wright.

Weekly Chart Report (1/14/11)

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WUCZ/Carthage, TN’s Dennis Banka with Garth Brooks prior to the first of nine Flood Relief shows in Nashville.


SPIN ZONE
Things are a little slow early in 2011, with several older singles hanging on in the Top 10 for a chance at No. 1. Keith Urban’s “Put You In A Song” remains at the top of the stack, but appears to be losing some ground to Luke Bryan’s “Someone Else Calling You Baby” and Kenny Chesney’s “Somewhere With You.” As programmers continue freshening their playlists, expect to see big movement from newer singles like Taylor Swift’s “Back To December” currently No. 8, and Brad Paisley’s “This Is Country Music” currently No. 14.

When Aussie artist Kate Russell made a station visit to KBCR/Steamboat Springs, she discovered that she and MD Debbie Duncan had more in common than a love for country music.


Surviving the holiday break can be tough for independent artists, but there’s no denying a good song. Check out Burns & Poe’s “How Long Is Long Enough,” which continues to hang in there at No. 25. See also Eric Lee Beddingfield’s “The Gospel According To Jones” which moves up to No. 39.
Ashton Shepherd is back with her trademark Southern sass and her latest, “Look It Up,” struts to the No. 71 spot for the week’s highest debut. Also showing some spark is Average Joe’s JB & The Moonshine Band, whose “Perfect Girl” jumps on at No. 73. On target for a big debut in next week’s edition is Reba’s version of the Beyonce hit “If I Were A Boy.” Programmers spun it an extra 181 times this week, nudging it to just outside our chart cutoff.



Upcoming Singles
January 18
Band Perry/You Lie/Republic Nashville
David Adam Byrnes/Sweet Distraction/Better Angels/Ride
January 24
Jeff Bates/One Day Closer/Black River
Reba/If I Were A Boy/Valory
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Average Joe's Entertainment's Corey Smith (R) recently visited The Bull in Atlanta, Georgia and chatted with WUBL MD Lance Houston.


New On The Chart—Debuting This Week
Artist/song/label — chart pos.
Ashton Shepherd/Look It Up/MCA — 71
JB & The Moonshine Band/Perfect Girl/Average Joe’s Entertainment — 73
Steve Holy/Love Don’t Run/Curb — 77
Christine VanHoy/What I Live For/Big 7 — 78
Jimmy White/Katy Did — 80
Greatest Spin Increase
Artist/song/label — spin+
Zac Brown Band/Colder Weather/Bigger Picture — 507
Miranda Lambert/Heart Like Mine/Columbia — 497
Rascal Flatts/I Won’t Let Go/Big Machine — 391
Jason Aldean w/Kelly Clarkson/Don’t You Wanna Stay/Broken Bow — 356
The Band Perry/You Lie/Republic Nashville — 294
On Deck—Soon To Be Charting
Artist/song/label — spins
Reba/If I Were A Boy/Starstruck/Valory — 188
Sandra Piller/Days Like These — 172
Emma King & The Heartsets/I’m Not Forgotten/PLC — 158
Lathan Moore/Love In Your Life/Blue Steel Records — 84
Kate Russell/Damned If I Do/Urunga — 155
Most Added
Artist/song/label — New Adds
Miranda Lambert/Heart Like Mine/Columbia — 31
Zac Brown Band/Colder Weather/Bigger Picture — 29
Rascal Flatts/I Won’t Let Go/Big Machine — 25
The Band Perry/You Lie/Republic Nashville — 23
Ashton Shepherd/Look It Up/MCA — 17
Reba/If I Were A Boy/Starstruck/Valory — 16
JB & The Moonshine Band/Perfect Girl/Average Joe’s Entertainment — 14
Trace Adkins/Brown Chicken, Brown Cow/Show Dog – Universal — 13
Steve Holy/Love Don’t Run/Curb — 10

Sea Gayle/Arista Nashville’s Jerrod Niemann recently visited the Lia Show to promote his current single, “What Do You Want.” (L-R): Niemann, Arista Nashville’s Lori Hartigan, host Lia Knight, and Lia Show producer Hank Aaron.

Brice and Niemann Co-Headline Tour

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Jerrod Niemann (L) and Lee Brice (R)


Lee Brice and Jerrod Niemann are teaming up to co-headline The Higher Education Tour. Kicking off March 10, the tour will run through college markets around the country, with additional dates to be announced.
Brice will also appear on the nationally syndicated morning show, The Daily Buzz on January 17 to promote the tour and his debut album, Love Like Crazy.
2011 Higher Education Tour Dates
3/10      Columbia, MO – The Blue Note
3/11      Miami, OK – Buffalo Run Casino
3/12      Durant, OK – Choctaw Casino Resort
3/25      Abilene, OK – Lucky Mule Saloon
3/26      Speegleville, TX – Hog Creek Icehouse
3/31      Denver, CO – Grizzly Rose
4/14      Knoxville, TN – Cotton Eyed Joes
4/15      Clarion, PA– Clarion University**
4/21      Davie, FL – The Roundup
4/22      Bradenton, FL – Joyland IV
4/23      Sebastian, FL – Captain Hiram’s Sandbar
4/28      Live Oak, FL – Suwannee River Jam
**featuring Lee Brice and Randy Houser

Yes Marks The Spotify

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The New York Post is reporting that European music provider Spotify is “days away from signing a deal with Sony Music,” and has gained support from another major U.S. music company as well making a 2010 launch imminent. Spotify offers users a free account with advertising to listen to unlimited music or a $10/month option without advertising.
U.S. labels have not warmed to the service despite its having gained a solid reputation in Europe. The U.S. music leaders don’t like the word “Free” attached to music and apparently demanded extremely high upfront payments in the past. Has this changed?
Spotify first planned to launch in the U.S. in 2009, but was unable to get the necessary deals ratified to do so. Then 2010 was the “sure thing” launch date, and that has also passed.
A Spotify spokesperson told the Post, “”Negotiations are progressing well, but [we have] nothing to confirm at this stage.” Reportedly, both Apple and Google have also had talks with Spotify.
Spotify’s software interface contributes to what makes it unique. Users can create playlists and share tracks with friends, put Spotify on mobile phones and use a sophisticated search function making it easy to create lists of many kinds. Premium Spotify users can also listen to music when they are offline. The site includes many artist biographies plus artist radio stations which help consumers discover new music. Of course it also connects with Facebook.
Analysis: Album sales continued to slide in 2010 dropping another 12.7% which may well be a force for bringing the parties back to the table. The record labels have yet to find a sales model to stem the annual losses which have become commonplace for the last ten years. The Spotify model has been criticized, not for lacking cool features, but because the conversion rate from free to paid has been lower than hoped for, rasing questions about the service’s ability to survive long term. How it will fare in the U.S if/when it debuts is yet to be seen.

Online Video Reports Best Practices

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According to TubeMogul.com’s Jan. 2011 Report for Online Video Best Practices, fewer than 1% of all videos exceed one million views. The report says, “Even getting featured on YouTube’s homepage yields fewer views than it used to, despite the site’s meteoric growth (or perhaps because of it). Videos in the ‘Featured’ or ‘Spotlight’ spots on You-Tube’s homepage average 86,100 views per day that they are featured. That represents a 28.2% reduction compared to the same measure two years ago (June 2008), when videos featured averaged 119,864 views per day. The result is that paid media is now necessary to get videos watched, even in viral video campaigns.”
Video length is also crucial when measuring video completion rates. According to the report, medium length (1-1:30 minutes) is the best performing range regardless of production format and/or industry category.
Click away rates on pre-roll video advertisements range from 10-38.4% the report finds. Using a sample of 7.87 million video streams over a 48-hour period, with 10-30 second ads, the findings show that pre-rolls work best with premium content. Even with premium content, however, shorter pre-rolls work best in terms of keeping viewers from clicking away.
Social media continues to outrank all other sources, such as search with respect to growth in streams.  Twitter continues to outpace all other referring sources by almost 3 to 1.

the co-op Recruits Maurice Miner

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Maurice Miner


Maurice Miner has joined the team at Nancy Russell’s management and entertainment company, the co-op, working with artists Alan Jackson and Loretta Lynn.
Miner was most recently Director of Syndicated and Satellite Radio for Sony Music Nashville, a position he inaugurated for the company six years ago. In this role, Miner worked with the careers of Jackson, Brad Paisley, Martina McBride, Carrie Underwood, Miranda Lambert and others. He recently co-produced DVD content for the deluxe edition of Kenny Chesney’s Hemingway’s Whiskey album.
Prior to working at Sony, Miner spent a decade with MJI Broadcasting and Premiere Radio, where his responsibilities included oversight of programming as part of the company’s exclusive partnership with the Country Music Association.
“The opportunity to work with the team at the co-op is absolutely perfect for me. I’ve known and respected Nancy since we first met years ago, and I’m thrilled to be part of her new venture,” says Miner. “It’s an honor to continue my association with Alan, and I can’t wait to see what we accomplish for other artists.”
“As the co-op grows as a company, having Maurice come on board allows us to be here for the artists’ needs in every way,” says Russell. “His creative talents go beyond his experience in radio and media. He’s an excellent addition to our management team.”
Miner can be contacted at the co-op at maurice@co-opmailbox.com or 615-320-0800.