Country ’10 Sales Fall Short

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Nielsen SoundScan handicappers are now melancholy with the realization that country will not achieve flat sales compared with 2009. With two 2010 sales weeks remaining—one leading into the holiday and one after, your Scribe is predicting that country album sales will total about 42.2 million units a drop of about 6.9% when compared with 2009 and adjusted for 52-week comparison. Overall music industry album sales remain down 13%.

Source: Nielsen SoundScan

The numbers are especially significant when considering that country labels and marketers threw everything they had into the 2010 season. Virtually every superstar and rising star found themselves on the release schedule—Taylor Swift, Rascal Flatts, Jason Aldean, Sugarland, Keith Urban, Kenny Chesney, Zac Brown Band, Tim McGraw, The Band Perry, Alan Jackson, Reba, Blake Shelton and more issued new and/or Greatest Hits packages in a mammoth effort to pry open holiday wallets. And it worked—but maybe not as well as one might have hoped. Especially when considering the boost when Taylor’s first week eclipsed expectations hitting the one million unit plus mark.

Speaking about Taylor, how do sales of Speak Now compare with Fearless? Answer: very well. Release to date (RTD) 8 week numbers show Speak Now with 2.607 million and Fearless (1/4/09) with 2.201 million. For the week ending 12/19/2010 Taylor Swift again rises to top all lists with about 259k units. On the country list she was miles in front, but on the all genre Top 200, Susan Boyle, who was No. 1 last week closely followed with over 254k units.

Spunky siblings The Band Perry remain atop the country genre tracks list, shifting over 4j7k additional copies this week of “If I Die Young.” Swift (39+), Chesney (38+), Sugarland (37+) and Aldean (31+) also sold in the over 30k range.

And now some year-end musings…(a good time to go to the kitchen for a snack if you don’t like to face the hard truth..)

[Editorial paragraph] The question waiting in the wings is what will happen in 2011? Will all the same artists be forced to record and release again? Will the fans continue to support all of them? Will the country music industry finally join hands and say, “We want people to pay on the way into the digital store, so we don’t lose sales as they walk out with free goods.” Will Washington politicians make a return Nashville visit with reassuring, but useless talk about how they plan to educate consumers and find new safeguards? What about a stimulus for lost revenues since 2004 when country sold 77.91 million units? Over the past six years country album sales have fallen about 45%. A few more years of similar losses and the industry will be too weak to have its voice heard, labels will be broke and the CMA will be handing out lunch to upper level executives in daily bread lines. Will 2011 be the year that the CMA helps focus discussions on developing a new digital model? Well, readers, if I knew the answer to all these questions, than you could just go on vacation next year and come back after all the hard work was done. [haha]. In the meantime, 2011 seems to offer lots of hope and promise with new companies taking root and older ones adapting and re-establishing themselves.

SoundExchange Reports Record Distributions, New Rates

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SoundExchange reports its distributions to rights holders increased 55% in 2009 to $156 million. Total revenues rose 20% to 204.2 million.

SoundExchange is a non-profit performance rights organization that collects statutory royalties from satellite radio (such as SIRIUS XM), Internet radio (like Pandora), cable TV music channels and similar platforms for streaming sound recordings on behalf of featured and non-featured recording artists, master rights owners (usually record labels), and independent artists who record and own their masters. (Webcaster royalties for publishers and songwriters are collected by performing rights organizations ASCAP, BMI and SESAC.)

The collection of streaming digital royalties is growing rapidly. SoundExchange has said it expects 2010 payments to again jump, over 2009 almost 60%.

One issue for which the collection agency has received criticism has been its total of unpaid royalties. However, this issue seems to have improved in 2009. However, according to the report, as of Dec. 31, 2009 SoundExchange had a balance of $294 million it its unpaid account. To provide greater understanding of the problems this relatively new organization is facing, it provided detailed analysis of these unpaid funds. For example, $88 million was “pipeline” funds in transit and $111 million is “unpayable funds”—$23 million unclaimed by foreign societies, $23 million due to problematic data, $43 million in unclaimed royalties and $22 million of account issues.

Average 2009 payments to SoundExchange’s 5,335 artists and copyright holders increased 57% to artists from $986 to $1,550, and 35% to copyright holders from $7415 to $10,040.

New Rates Approved
The CopyrightRoyalty Board (CRB) recently ruled on new rates for 2011-2015 for non-interactive webcasting services. Currently, CRB commercial rates for 2010 are $0.0019 “per performance” (the rate that is charged per listener, per track)—royalties which are distributed by SoundExchange to the artists and rights owners who helped to create that recording. The new rates that were set for commercial webcasters who are not broadcasters begin at $.0019 per performance in 2011, with gradual increases to $.0023 by 2015. The Copyright Royalty Judges also adopted the “broadcaster” rates that were the subject of SoundExchange’s settlement with the NAB in 2009. Under that settlement, broadcasters’ per-performance rate starts at $.0017 in 2011 and rises to $.0025 by 2015.

“Black Ops” Boasts Explosive Sales

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Perhaps country labels should consider the possibility of making album releases into first person shooter video games.

According to an article in the New York Post, Acitivision Blizzard’s Call of Duty: Black Ops game has crossed the $1 billion sales threshold in only 42 days. Though not quite in Avatar territory ($1B in 20 days), this feat easily surpasses the company’s previous smash Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2, which took 64 days to reach the $1B mark.

To put it another way, Taylor Swift’s Speak Now sold 2.348 million units in the 42 days following its release, according to Nielsen SoundScan. This amounts to roughly $25 million or just 2.5% of the Black Ops sales tally. It’s important to note that the game’s hefty $60 retail sticker makes its figures rise very rapidly compared to a $10 music album.

Part of the appeal, in addition to the immersive environment of gaming, is the capability for online play across a number of platforms (Wii, XBox 360, PS3). Since its release, Black Ops users have logged over 600 million hours playing online, creating remote teams for a kind of collaborative social networking.

So while the idea of Taylor Swift toting automatic weaponry is a bit absurd, a towering figure like Trace Adkins could easily fill the role if given a chance. Just a thought…

Garth Tickets on StubHub; Twain Gets Engaged

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Shania Twain is on the cover of the latest issue of US Weekly, as her reps confirmed to the magazine that Twain is engaged to Frederic Thiebaud. Thiebaud is the ex-husband of Twain’s former friend Marie-Anne Thiebaud — the woman Robert “Mutt” Lange, Twain’s husband of 14 years, reportedly left Twain for in May 2008.

On Twain’s official website, she writes: “…I am excited to share some personal news with you;  I’m in love!  Frederic Nicolas Thiebaud has been a true gift to me as a compassionate, understanding friend and over time, an amazing love has blossomed from this precious friendship. Fred and I are happy to announce, our ENGAGEMENT!

Love, peace and happiness is taking me in to 2011 and I’m feeling refreshed and optimistic about the future. I’m looking forward to what the new year has in store and to sharing it with you. So, I’ll be in touch with more news and details soon. Until then, have a fantastic holiday season and I wish you love. Sincerely, Shania”

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Garth Brooks fans still have tonight (12/22) to attend his Nashville Concert to Support Victims of Tennessee Floods at the Bridgestone Arena. While box office tickets sold out right away, a quick look at ticket reseller StubHub.com shows a variety of tickets available for tonight’s 6pm and 9pm shows. Tickets range from $3 and up, with many around the $25-50 range. There are roughly 350 tickets available on StubHub.com for each show.

As previously reported, Brooks sold out all nine concerts—over 140,000 tickets, for $25 (plus $7.50 in fees) with 100% of the proceeds going to the Community Foundation Tennessee Flood Relief. He has raised over 3.5 million dollars for flood victims.

In November, StubHub announced that it would donate its commission from the sales of Brook’s Nashville benefit concert to the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee.

Hough’s Video Banned… Really?

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Who can beat Celebrity Taste-makers when it comes to discerning between the jealous and the zealous? Their snarky wit is discerning and head turning. So when LA Times blog Ministry of Gossip asked the musical question, is Julianne Hough’s new video “Is That So Wrong” deserving of being “kinda banned” by CMT, as the young DWTS starlet told a crowd last week in Maryland and was later reported in the Washington Post, we were intrigued.

The Ministry sums it up thusly…

Of course we had to look, and fortunately the video falls well within the Ministry’s never-super-high standards, so you can check it out too, above. But, for example:
Nobody gets beaten, and nothing gets burned down.
The official video in no way features Miley Cyrus grinding, smoking or dancing like a loon.
It’s not shot in a women’s prison, with performers in scanty underthings — and there’s no mass murder. So — are you scandalized by a beautiful woman dancing in short shorts and a bra that covers up just about everything? Even if she is Ryan Seacrest’s 22-year-old girlfriend?

According to AOL.com, CMT claims they aren’t airing the clip due to “contract negotiation problems.” The issue involves MTV/CMT and VEVO which distributes videos from Universal Music, Hough’s label group.

Copeland Debuts “Smashville” Theme

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Copeland poses with Nashville Predators Ice Girls who attended the "Smashville" after party. Photo: Bev Moser

Lewis Copeland recently debuted his original theme song “Smashville” at the Nashville Predators game vs. the San Jose Sharks (12/15). Later during a special performance at the Stage on Broadway, Copeland again performed the song. Among those present at the “Smashville” after party were several Nashville Predators Ice Girls who passed out Preds merchandise to fans.

Josh Turner Welcomes Son; Jake Owen Benefit Concert

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Josh Turner and his wife, Jennifer, welcomed their third son, Crawford Marion Turner, on Monday, December 13. He was born at 8:52 p.m. at a Nashville hospital. He weighed 6 pounds, 15 ounces and was 19 inches long. Both baby and mother are doing well.

“Jennifer and I are overjoyed at Marion’s arrival,” Turner says. “He’s a strong, handsome little boy with a resilient spirit. Thanks to all of our family, friends and fans for their thoughts and prayers.”

Josh and Jennifer married in 2003 and have two other sons, Hampton, 4, and Colby, 17 months.

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Vero Beach, FL, native Jake Owen recently headlined his annual hometown Jake Owen concert called Mardy’s Tennis & Jake’s Music Fest. This year’s event moved to Holman Stadium, where Owen and special guests Little Big Town entertained a crowd of over 4,500. Owen presented checks to St. Jude for $30,000 and a check to the Mardy Fish Foundation for $33,000, on behalf of the Jake Owen Foundation.

Pictured (l-r): during the Jake Owen Foundation check presentation to St. Jude are: Jake Owen, Abby Alonzo (an 11 year old St. Jude patient) and her mom Katie Alonzo.

Fallon And Rich Holiday Duet On iTunes

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Jimmy’s holiday ballad “Drunk on Christmas” has officially become a tradition on his show. Fallon reintroduced the song (12/16) on his show with country star John Rich, who came decked out in a Santa costume with golden cowboy boots. Seasons drinkings everybody!

In the wake of response to the musical pairing, the “inappropriate holiday duet” will be available exclusively on iTunes starting Dec. 21.

Written by Gerard Bradford and Jimmy Fallon, “Drunk on Christmas” is full of yuletide references and the catchy sing-along line, “gonna get drunk, drunk, drunk on Christmas.”

Country Thunder Lineup Expands

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Country Thunder Festival stops in Arizona and Wisconsin have added additional performers to their lineups.

Joining the performance schedule for the Florence, Arizona Country Thunder Festival April 7-10 are Clay Walker, Rodney Atkins, Eric Church, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, and Neal McCoy. Previously announced performers include Jason Aldean, Toby Keith, and Martina McBride. Full weekend tickets are available through January 15 for $120. More information here.

Darius Rucker, Easton Corbin, Sawyer Brown and Neal McCoy will join the lineup of the Twin Lakes, Wisconsin Country Thunder Festival taking place July 21-24. Previously announced performers include Lady Antebellum, Zac Brown Band, Martina McBride and Rascal Flatts. Full weekend passes are available for $99 through December 31. Tickets and information here.

DISClaimer Single Reviews (12/21/10)

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I dread this column every year.

It’s not that I don’t like Christmas. Far from it. It’s just that so much bad music gets recorded in its name. And, as usual, there is far more of it than I can hope to cover in a column. Among the many left “out in the cold,” so to speak, are Clay Walker, D.J. Miller, Jackie Evancho, Suzy Bogguss, Jeff Cook, Pat Garrett, Sherwin Linton and Liz Anderson.

Working with what we could get into a review session, Highway 101 wins our Disc of the Day for this holiday season. They still sound sensational. Other recommendations for stocking stuffers are Mandy Barnett, Point of Grace and the cast of Glee.

Surprisingly, there are several DisCovery Award contenders. Rachel Holder and Danielle Car both sound like they have the pipes to become stars. But how can you deny an album called Merry Ex-mas, devoted to holiday songs for the divorced? Besides, just look at the names of the folks who’ve banded together as The Irreconcilables.

HIGHWAY 101/Six Gold Coins
Writer: Curtis Stone/Cactus Moser/Brian Henningson/Clara Henningson; Producer: Cactus Moser & Curtis Stone; Publisher: Cactus Doin’ Work/Hometown Jamboree/Skyline/Cactus Moser, ASCAP/BMI; Keytone (CDX) (www.highway101.net)
—This is drawn from the band’s DVD Christmas on Highway 101. It is arguably the best new original holiday tune of 2010. Nikki’s lead vocal is packed with emotion, and the band’s support is stellar. The ballad’s striking lyric is based on gold coins that anonymous donors drop into Salvation Army bell ringers’ kettles every year.

POINT OF GRACE /Labor Of Love
Writer: Andrew Peterson; Producer: Nathan Chapman & Stephanie Chapman; Publisher: New Spring, ASCAP; Word (CDX)
—The album is titled Home for the Holidays, and if there are any voices in Nashville who are more suited to Christmas music, I have yet to hear them. This new Yule song is a sweet, acoustic ballad about the event in the manger 2010 years ago.

THE IRRECONCILABLES/See Ya Santa
Writer: Don Pfrimmer/Will Robinson/Mike Reid; Producer: Fred Bogert, Mike Reid & Will Robinson; Publisher: EGBG/Detect an Intruder/Rivers and Roads, ASCAP/BMI; Merry Ex-Mas (track)
—New here’s a concept: Holiday songs for the divorced. The CD’s title is, naturally, Merry Ex-mas. It kicks off with this groovy, jazzy/bluesy outing. The track swings, and lead vocalist Joanna Cotten delivers the lyric with plenty of sass. Santa, you see, is a cheater. The other Irreconcilables are Fred Knobloch, Perry Danos, Paige Bainbridge, Danger Will (Robinson) and Oscar Franks.

MANDY BARNETT/Winter Wonderland
Writer: Felix Bernard/Richard B. Smith; Producer: Mandy Barnett; Publisher: WB, ASCAP; Rounder/Cracker Barrel (track)
—Mandy has the most “classic” sounding holiday disc of the year. All the tunes are standards, and the players are such A-listers as Harold Bradley, Hoot Hester, Gary Prim and Tony Migliore. This is the CD’s title tune and track #1, and it’s a sprightly outing, laced with plenty of Lloyd Green’s steel. Her vocal is, of course, flawless. (Full disclosure: I wrote the liner notes.)

DR. ELMO/Come On Boys, It’s Christmas
Writer: Potterton/Manry; Producer: Gary Potterton; Publisher: none listed, BMI; Laughing Stock/Time Life (track)
—“Dr. Elmo” is banjo playing Elmo Shropshire. If that doesn’t ring a bell, how about “Elmo & Patsy” who originated the classic “Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer?” On his Bluegrass Christmas CD, he proves conclusively what a fluke that was. He can’t sing.

BURNS & POE/Hear The Angels Singing
Writer: Keith Burns/Michelle Poe; Producer: none listed; Publisher: Banshee/Bana Bear/Crane Wreck/Studio 33 Music Group/Poe Haus, BMI/SESAC; Blue Steel (www.burnsandpoe.com)
—Another new contribution to the Christmas repertoire. This one is a gentle ballad that features both vocalists singing softly to delicate, tinkling, acoustic accompaniment. Their harmonies on the choruses are just lovely.

GLEE/The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year
Writer: J. Marks; Producer: Adam Anders & Ryan Murphy; Publisher: St. Nicholas, ASCAP; Columbia (track)
—New cast member and native Nashvillian Chad Overstreet (Paul’s son) makes his disc debut on the Glee Christmas Album with this track. He plays “Sam” and gets several hearty standout lines during the ensemble singing of this standard. The male-male pairing of “Kurt” and “Blaine” on “Baby It’s Cold Outside” is raising eyebrows and getting lots of attention, but the rest of the Glee cast’s tracks are equally listenable.

BRITTANY ALLYN/Christmas Has A Way
Writer: Brittany Allyn; Producer: Chris Nole; Publisher: Mighty Pen, BMI; Mighty Pen (track) (www.brittanyallyn.com)
—The title tune to Allyn’s holiday collection is thin sounding. Plus, her singing sounds timid and tentative.

DANIELLE CAR/Save Your Cookies For Me
Writer: Danielle Car; Producer: Chuck Alkazian & Danielle Car; Publisher: none listed, BMI; DC (www.daniellecarmusic.com)
—This Detroit gal lays into this bluesy lament with blow-torch heat. She’s got some serious vocal firepower. By all means, lend her your ears.

LEE BRICE/O Holy Night
Writer: traditional, arranged by Lee Brice /Doug Johnson; Producer: Doug Johnson & Lee Brice; Publisher: public domain, arrangement Mike Curb/Sweet Hysteria/Sweet Radical, BMI; Curb (CDX)
—It wouldn’t be Christmas without a new version of “O Holy Night.” The song’s dynamics generally call for a vocalist of range, might and power. I wouldn’t think this guy would have the chops for it. And he doesn’t.

RACHEL HOLDER/Christmas Eve
Writer: Chris Frasca/Maria Chistiansen; Producer: Chuck Howard, Wilbur Rimes, Elmer Cole & Kevin Moore; Publisher: none listed; All Entertainment (www.rachelholder.com)
—At last! Some tempo. This toe-tapping bopper is underscored by slapping snare and bubbling bass. She sounds like she’s having a ball with this sexy little romance lyric. Deserving of massive airplay.