ASCAP Presents BMG at the Bluebird

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As part of its popular monthly songwriter showcase at the Bluebird Cafe, ASCAP Nashville presented BMG songwriters Brett James, Neil Thrasher, busbee and other guests at a sold-out show on January 11. James was ASCAP’s 2010 Country Songwriter of the Year (he also won this award in 2006, along with the Song of the Year award for “Jesus, Take the Wheel”). Thrasher claimed the ASCAP Country Songwriter of the Year title in 2004 and his song “Why Wait” (Rascal Flatts) recently topped the country chart. busbee celebrated his first country No. 1 in 2010 with Lady Antebellum’s “Our Kind of Love.”

(L-R): singer/songwriter Andrew Pates, Cornman Music songwriter/artist Caitlyn Smith, ASCAP's Mike Sistad, busbee, Neil Thrasher, Brett James, ASCAP's LeAnn Phelan, Cornman Music songwriter/Universal Music recording artist Kip Moore. Photo: Julie Meirick

SESAC Promotes Shannan Hatch

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SESAC has announced the promotion of Shannan Hatch to Sr. Dir., Writer/Publisher Relations. Formerly Director, Writer/Publisher Relations, Hatch is based in Nashville’s office and will continue her duty of recruiting and nurturing the careers of songwriters and publishers.
“Shannan has proven herself to be a very gifted music executive with a keen eye for recognizing songwriting talent,” says Tim Fink, SESAC’s Vice President, Writer/Publisher Relations. “She has developed key relationships within the songwriting and publishing community that have been instrumental in the growth of our exciting SESAC Nashville roster. I am thrilled to announce Shannan’s well-deserved promotion and look forward to the continued success of SESAC’s Nashville division.”
Prior to joining SESAC in 2002, Hatch worked as a publicist for AristoMedia, FrontPage, Rasky Bearlein and Commotion Public Relations. Since joining SESAC, she has worked closely with hit songwriters such as Monty Powell (“Sweet Thing”), Kim Tribble (“One In Every Crowd”), and Brice Long (“Anything Goes”).

Chesney Sets Dates; Flatts Hit Road

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Kenny Chesney, Rascal Flatts, Sugarland and Tim McGraw are among the stars hitting the road in 2011.
Following last year’s touring slump, The New York Post reports that promoters are planning to lower ticket prices for this season.
Chesney, whose tickets come with a traditionally low price point, probably would have weathered the downturn with ease. Nonetheless, he picked a good year to stay home.
After taking a break from full-fledged touring in 2010, organizers expect this to be his biggest outing in five years. The 2011 Corona Presents Kenny Chesney’s ‘Goin’ Coastal’ tour is set for about 60 dates, including at least ten stadium shows. Billy Currington and Uncle Kracker will be on board for the duration, and Zac Brown Band will co-headline the stadiums.
The run begins March 17 in West Palm Beach, FL, and has stops booked through the sold-out Aug. 27 show at Gillette Stadium outside Boston. More dates will be announced. Chesney has sold about 8 million tickets since 2000.
•••••
Rascal Flatts will launch the second leg of its Nothing Like This Tour on Friday (1/14) in Sioux Falls, SD at the Sioux Falls Arena. Along for the ride will be opening acts Luke Bryan and Chris Young. The tour will wrap in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma on March 12.
When Rascal Flatts closed the first leg of the outing in October 2010, the band had performed for more than 650,000 fans in 2010, including earlier shows on the Unstoppable Tour.
Since the band’s touring career began, they have sold over 6 million concert tickets.

Photo Edits: Peach Pickers, Dirt Drifters and Christian Kane

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The Peach Pickers Celebrate “All About Tonight” • The Dirt Drifters Begin Radio Tour • Christian Kane Performs At Inaugural Ball

The Peach Pickers Celebrate “All About Tonight”

During a party at ASCAP on January 7, Music Row songwriting trio The Peach Pickers (Ben Hayslip, Rhett Akins and Dallas Davidson) celebrated another No. 1 on the country charts with Blake Shelton’s “All About Tonight.” Hayslip was honored by ASCAP for his third No. 1, alongside publishers THIS Music and Warner/Chappell Publishing. The Peach Pickers had a monumental year in 2010, with additional chart toppers Josh Turner’s “All Over Me” and Joe Nichols’ “Gimmie That Girl.”

(L-R): ASCAP's Marc Driskill, Dallas Davidson, Rhett Akins, Ben Hayslip, THIS Music's Rusty Gaston, Warner/Chappell's Steve Markland, producer Scott Hendricks, Warner Music Nashville's John Esposito, and THIS Music's Tim Nichols. Photo: David Braud

The Dirt Drifters Begin Radio Tour

Warner Bros. Records group The Dirt Drifters recently began a radio tour in support of its debut single “Something Better” with visits to KFKF and WDAF in Kansas City.

(L-R): Jeff Middleton, Jeremy Little, WDAF MD Wes Poe, Matt Fleener, Ryan Fleener and Nick Diamond.

Christian Kane Performs At Inaugural Ball

Christian Kane returned to his home state of Oklahoma on January 10 to perform at the Inaugural Ball for the first female Governor of Oklahoma, Mary Fallin, held at The National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum. Kane is currently on the road in support of his debut album The House Rules.

(L-R): Christian Kane, Governor Mary Fallin and her husband Wade Christensen.

Tracks Push Country Album Sales Positive

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This year is the first time we have a complete 12-month country digital track sales report from Nielsen SoundScan, and we are excited!
The 2010 Top 200 country tracks shows a total of 57.68 million purchased. For added track perspective, we divide the total Top 200 sales by 10 to get a metric called “track equivalent album” or TEA. Obviously a TEA is not identical to regular album purchase. Based upon this year’s track sales, we added an additional 5.77 million TEA album purchases to country’s 43.7 million albums reported by Nielsen SoundScan boosting album sales to a 7.2% increase over 2009. (Comparing albums to albums, country sales fell about 5.2%.) But unfortunately, digital tracks and albums are not equal in terms of margin and profitability.
Just like in touring and album sales, country artists do not participate equally in the upper reaches of the tracks chart. The industry tells a tale of haves and have-nots. For example, the Top 20 selling digital tracks totaled 35% of the entire 200 songs listed. Further narrowing the curve, only thirteen artists were involved in selling the Top 20 tracks. [see list]
Top Selling Country Digital Tracks Songs 2010
(Source: Nielsen SoundScan)
1. LADY ANTEBELLUM /NEED YOU NOW
2. SWIFT*TAYLOR/MINE
3. SUGARLAND/STUCK LIKE GLUE
4. BAND PERRY*THE /IF I DIE YOUNG
5. SWIFT*TAYLOR/ TODAY WAS A FAIRYTALE
6. JARON AND TLRTL/PRAY FOR YOU
7. LAMBERT*MIRANDA/THE HOUSE THAT BUILT ME
8. UNDERWOOD*CARRIE /UNDO IT
9. LADY ANTEBELLUM/AMERICAN HONEY
10. SWIFT*TAYLOR/ YOU BELONG WITH ME
11. NIEMANN*JERROD/LOVER, LOVER
12. SWIFT*TAYLOR/BACK TO DECEMBER
13. BROWN*ZAC BAND/FREE
14. BROWN*ZAC BAND/CHICKEN FRIED
15. BRYAN*LUKE RAIN IS A GOOD THING
16. BROWN*ZAC BAND/TOES
17. UNDERWOOD*CARRIE /COWBOY CASANOVA
18. ATKINS*RODNEY /FARMER’S DAUGHTER
19. BRICE*LEE/ LOVE LIKE CRAZY
20. ALDEAN*JASON /MY KINDA PARTY
Top Selling Track Artists (% of Top 200 total tracks)
(Source: Nielsen SoundScan)
1. SWIFT*TAYLOR/14.85%
2. LADY ANTEBELLUM/9.08%
3. UNDERWOOD*CARRIE/5.72%
4. BROWN*ZAC BAND/4.93%
5. ALDEAN*JASON/4.11%
6. LAMBERT*MIRANDA/3.49%
7. SUGARLAND /3.33%
8. BAND PERRY*THE /2.65%

Performers Set For GMA Hall of Fame Inductions

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Trace Adkins, Jeremy Camp and Larry Gatlin are among the performers slated for the Jan. 24 GMA Gospel Music Hall of Fame induction ceremony. Joining the hall of fame will be Johnny Cash, DeGarmo & Key, Golden Gate Quartet, and Bill “Hoss” Allen.
The GMA Foundation (GMAF) will induct the honorees at Trinity Music City Auditorium in Hendersonville, TN at 6:00 PM. Admission is free to the public.
Attendees will also get to see performances by TobyMac, Ernie Haase & Signature Sound, The Fairfield Four, Babbie Mason, Chonda Pierce, Russ Taff, Bobby Jones and Lee Williams & The Spiritual QC’s.
“The impact this group of inductees has made on gospel music is immeasurable,” said Ed Harper, Chairman, GMA Foundation. “It’s an honor to recognize them for their contributions.”
“I’m very excited about this year’s slate of inductees. All come from different cultures and backgrounds but have helped elevate gospel music to a much higher plateau throughout our universe which is in need of good news more than ever,” added Tom Long, Chairman, GMA Gospel Music Hall of Fame Committee.

MySpace Cuts Staff By Half

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MySpace laid off 500 employees yesterday, a total which accounts for almost half (47%) of its worldwide workforce.
Executives maintain that the downsizing is a result of the social networking site’s relaunch as a music and entertainment destination. MySpace Chief Executive Mike Jones says that the lay-offs are not a reflection of the new product’s performance.
Company leaders also stated that the large staff was on board to handle an advertising partnership with Google that ended in 2010.
Reports say MySpace parent company News Corp is open to selling the struggling social music site.
According to November 2010 stats from comScore, Myspace had 54.4 million unique visitors in the U.S., while Facebook had 151.7 million unique visitors.

Reba, Blake To Co-Host ACM Awards

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Blake Shelton will join Reba as co-host of the ACM Awards on Sun., April 3. The superstar redhead has hosted the country awards show for over a decade. Producers and show organizers say they got the idea to add Shelton to the mix when the pair appeared together on the CBS Early show.
“Last year Reba and Blake read our nominations and they were just magic together, incredibly funny,” explains Bob Romeo, CEO of the Academy of Country Music.
This marks Shelton’s debut as an award show host, as he becomes the 50th host since the inception of the ACM Awards.
The 46th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards will be broadcast live from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Sunday, April 3, 2011 at 8:00 PM live ET/delayed PT on the CBS Television Network.
Reba has won 12 Academy of Country Music Awards. Shelton has been nominated for three ACM Awards and won his first ACM award last year for Vocal Event of the Year for his No. 1 hit “Hillbilly Bone” featuring Trace Adkins.

Benken Joins Quarterback Records

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Quarterback Records has hired Tony Benken as Vice President, Promotion. Effective immediately, Benken will oversee label contact with medium and major market radio.
“This is another strong step for the growth and capability of Quarterback,” says label co-principal John Ettinger. “Tony brings a terrific skill set in promotion, and carries a wonderful reputation.  He is smart, caring, and has the kind of radio-relation integrity we want at the label.”
“I couldn’t be more excited to get going with this Quarterback team,” adds Benken. “They do everything with energy and integrity, and I can’t wait to bring the same spirit out to my friends in country radio.”
Benken was most recently VP Promotion at Treehouse Records and his 18 years of experience have included stops at BNA, RCA, Virgin, Universal South and Broken Bow. Reach him at 615-478-9056 or tonybenken@quarterbackrecords.com
Along with Benken’s hiring, Quarterback has promoted J.R. Hughes to National Director/Midwest Regional.

DISClaimer Single Reviews (1/12/11)

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I am loving this format today.
I love its diversity. I love the quality of its song craftsmanship. I love its mix of youth and maturity. Country music rules.
In celebration, I am crowning three Disc of the Day winners. The Group prize goes to Rascal Flatts for its chesty vow of steadfastness. The Male winner is Randy Montana, who has a sonic masterpiece to offer. The Female prize, and the surprise of the day, is Ashton Shepherd. Every other gal in town is going to kick herself for not finding “Look It Up” first.
That’s not all. Be sure and lend your ears, also, to Reba McEntire, Joanna Smith, The Dirt Drifters and the new duo Curtis & Luckey. They add to this week’s tasty country goulash of musical diversity.
JEFF TALMADGE/Sometimes You Choose Love
Writer: Talmadge; Producer: Thomm Jutz; Publisher: Tot Ziens, BMI; Berkalin (track) (www.jefftalmadge.com)
—Recorded in Nashville, this folk-country stylist from Texas has a gentle, acoustic sound that goes down easy in this swaying, mid-tempo meditation. The album, titled Kind of Everything, is his seventh.
REBA/If I Were A Boy
Writer: Brittany Jean Carlson/Toby Gad; Producer: Dann Huff; Publisher: Songs of Universal/BC Jean/Cherry Lane/Liedela/Gad, BMI/ASCAP; Valory Music/Starstruck(track)
—This country take on the Beyonce hit is a pulsing power ballad with exactly the right dynamics in the production to put the spotlight on Reba’s delivery of the extraordinary lyric. Her best single in ages.
CURTIS & LUCKEY/Eye Candy
Writer: Brian Curtis/Luckey Moore/Shawn Rhem; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; KMG Music Group (515-269-0474)
—Sprightly and good humored, with creamy harmonies and shiny-bright production.
RASCAL FLATTS/I Won’t Let Go
Writer: Steve Robson/Jason Sellers; Producer: Dann Huff & Rascal Flatts; Publisher: Stage Three/Sony-ATV Cross Keys/Becky’s Boy, ASCAP; Big Machine
—Stately and inspirational. A ballad where you relish every step along the way. An exemplary piece of work. My only quibble is that the Joe Don and Jay harmony vocals are too far down in the mix.
CAMILLE ALVEY & DICKEY LEE/She Thinks I Still Care
Writer: Dickey Lee; Producer: Don Sullivan; Publisher: Universal, BMI; Calisse (track) (www.camillealvey.com)
—Camille takes this classic at a confident, crisp pace. Dickey takes over in the second verse, sounding remarkably youthful, I might add. She harmonizes to his lead in the bridge and in the final verse. It’s all quite listenable.
RANDY MONTANA/1,000 Faces
Writer: Randy Montana/Tom Douglas; Producer: Jay Joyce; Publisher: Sony-ATV/tomdouglasmusic, BMI; Mercury Nashville (CDX)
—I am a big fan of this guy, and this ultra-melodic outing is the kind of single that makes a star. It starts off quietly, but when the second verse kicks in, the production and his funky-raspy vocal take off like a stallion bolting from the barn. Hang on for the finale where his various vocal phrases are layered dazzlingly on top of one another. Go, boy, go.
JOANNA SMITH/Georgia Mud
Writer: Joanna Smith/Jim McCormick/Aaron Scherz; Producer: Philip White; Publisher: none listed, BMI; Columbia (CDX)
—Like Randy, Joanna is an artist who ably showcased her material in our office. So I can tell you for a fact that these kids are both real singers. She was so charming on her rollicking debut single, “Gettin’ Married.” This one is more sweetly romantic, with a cool, crunchy backbeat and a vocal performance with a built-in smile.
ASHTON SHEPHERD/Look It Up
Writer: Angaleena Presley/Robert Ellis Orrall; Producer: Buddy Cannon; Publisher: Ten Ten/Orrall Fixation, ASCAP; MCA Nashville (CDX)
—Ashton struts with plenty of moxie on this attitude number. “The word is ‘faithful.’ Look it up,” she snaps. Plenty of other bon mots ensue, until you get to, “The word is ‘over.’ Look it up.” The rumbling “outlaw” thump in the rhythm section matches her vocal flair lick for lick. I would LOVE to hear this on the radio.
AARON LEWIS/Country Boy
Writer: Aaron Lewis; Producer: James Stroud & Aaron Lewis; Publisher: Greenfund, ASCAP; Stroudavarious (www.stroudavarious.com)
—How many times are we going to write various versions of this same song. Dirt road? Check. Blue jeans and t-shirt wardrobe? Check. Guns? Check. Tractor, diesel truck? Check and check. American flag? You bet. Also: It is four, dirge-like, minutes long. The version with cameos by George Jones and Charlie Daniels drags it out, endlessly, to 4:49.
THE DIRT DRIFTERS/Something Better
Writer: Jeff Middleton/Matt Fleener/Nick Diamond; Producer: Justin Niebank; Publisher: Music of Stage Three/Jersey South/Stage Three/EMI Blackwood/Steeltoe Dreamer/Sony-ATV Tree/Buddy Lloyd/nickfakenamemusic, BMI/ASCAP; Warner Bros.
—It’s a blue-collar rocker about a worker waiting for some improvement in his dead-end life. Heck, he even thinks his girlfriend is waiting for something better than him to come along.