Eric Lee Beddingfield (R) recently joined J. Brooks (L) in the studio at KSMA 98.7 Kiss Country Mason City, IA. Beddingfield was in town to play a few shows and open for Colin Raye.
SPIN ZONE
There is movement at the top of the CountryBreakout Chart, as The Band Perry’s “If I Die Young” capitalizes on its 23 week climb by taking the No. 1 spot. Rascal Flatts’ “Why Wait” makes a big jump from No. 6 – 2, picking up 136 new spins in the process. Brad Paisley’s “Anything Like Me” moves 5 – 3, scooting ahead of Reba’s “Turn On The Radio” which holds at No. 4.
It’s still tough going for artists trying to reach the Top 20. Unless, of course, your name is Kenny Chesney. His latest “Somewhere With You” has the biggest spin gain of the week (565) and jumps 11 spots to No. 28 a few days ahead of its official add date. For others, it’s a slow grind. Chris Young’s “Voices” adds 120 spins, moving to 25 – 23 after 15 weeks. Similarly, Cody McCarver’s “I’m America” adds spins and moves up one spot to No. 27 after 21 weeks. Some older titles appear to be on the way out, so coming weeks should provide room for singles to grow.
After a slow beginning, Gwyneth Paltrow’s movie theme “Country Strong” suddenly has legs. It debuted at No. 79 in the previous chart, and makes an impressive leap to No. 66 this week. Also speedily moving upward is Josh Turner’s take on the Don Williams hit “I Wouldn’t Be A Man,” which moves to 78 – 62.
Frozen Playlists: KNCQ, KYEZ, KYYK, WAKG
Upcoming Singles
November 8
Blake Wise/I’ve Got This Feeling/Broken Bow
Kenny Chesney/Somewhere With You/BNA
Easton Corbin/I Can’t Love You Back/Mercury
November 15
Kelly Parkes/Nothing/Edge Records/Lofton Creek
Lathan Moore/Love In Your Life/Blue Steel
• • • • •
New On The Chart—Debuting This Week
Artist/song/label — chart pos.
The Dirt Drifters/Something Better/WMN — 74
Chris Filer/John Deere, John 3:16/Lofton Creek — 78
Lee Brice/Beautiful Every Time/Curb — 79
Braden Gray/A Little Less Lonely/ATP Records — 80
Greatest Spin Increase
Artist/song/label — spin+
Kenny Chesney/Somewhere With You/BNA — 565
Toby Keith/Bullets In The Gun/Show Dog – Universal — 230
Tim McGraw/Felt Good On My Lips/Curb — 214
Keith Urban/Put You In A Song/Capitol — 210
Lady Antebellum/Hello World/Capitol — 183
On Deck—Soon To Be Charting
Artist/song/label — spins
Eric Lee Beddingfield/The Gospel According To Jones/Rebel Dawg Music — 207
Uncle Kracker/Good To Be Me/Top Dog/Atlantic — 196
Easton Corbin/I Can’t Love You Back/Mercury — 185
Brantley Gilbert/My Kind of Crazy/Average Joe’s Entertainment — 175
Jason Sturgeon/Rollin’ On/Toolpusher/Spinville/Nine North — 173
Two Week Most Added*
Artist/song/label — New adds
Kenny Chesney/Somewhere With You/BNA — 18
Eric Lee Beddingfield/The Gospel According To Jones/Rebel Dawg Music — 12
Josh Thompson/Won’t Be Lonely Long/Columbia — 10
Little Big Town/Kiss Goodbye/Capitol — 9
Josh Turner/I Wouldn’t Be A Man/MCA — 8
Lee Brice/Beautiful Every Time/Curb — 8
Reprise Records’ Frankie Ballard welcomed industry insiders to his final rehearsal Wednesday evening (11/3) at Soundcheck Nashville before joining Uncle Kracker on a club tour. His energetic set showcased his dazzling guitar hero skills and featured songs such as “Get On Down The Road,” “Sober Me Up,” and his single “Tell Me You Get Lonely.” (L-R): Chris Stacey (Warner Music Nashville Senior VP Promotion), Chad Schultz (Warner Music Nashville National Promotion Director), Bruce Burton (Warner Music Nashville Director Of Brand Management), Frankie Ballard, Keith Kaufman (WSIX Program Director), Ashley Weimer (WSIX Promotions Director) and John Marks (Sirius XM Senior Director, Country Music Programming)
KBEQ/Kansas City celebrated with Trailer Choir at the station’s Halloween Bash 2010. (L-R): Butter (in the dreads); $5 Shug as 5 Shug; Zeke Montana (Toga) from the KBEQ morning show; Colleen Bardone (she went as Crystal), Big Vinny as Super Mario; Crystal (bondage kitty cat); KBEQ’s PD/Mike Kennedy like we’ve never seen him; his wife Nycki as a cowgirl; KBEQ’s MD/TJ McEntire as Snookie; and her husband Matty “the Situation.”
Election Results Spur Changes in Entertainment Law
/by contributor“It is impossible to overstate the differences between outgoing Judiciary Committee Chairman John Conyers, a Democrat from Detroit who grew up with Motown, and incoming Chairman Lamar Smith of Texas, whose district is the headquarters of Clear Channel,” said Program Chairman Jon Potter of RPG Strategies, who formerly headed the Digital Media Association in Washington, D.C. “We are fortunate to have high-level panelists who understand the effect of this major change on radio royalty legislation, and how Republican victories will affect net neutrality and arts funding.”
The panelists include BMI Senior Vice President Fred Cannon; RIAA Senior Vice President Mitch Glazier; consultant Victoria Bassetti, who previously worked for senior Democratic Senators and was a senior vice president with EMI; and consultant Elizabeth Frazee, who previously worked with the likely new IP Subcommittee Chairman Bob Goodlatte (R-VA), as well as AOL and Disney.
This is the fourth installment of NARM’s Entertainment Law Conference Series, and the event is part of the official schedule of events leading up to The 44th Annual CMA Awards.
The program has been approved for 3.75 credit hours by the Tennessee Bar Association. This event will feature a keynote interview with Marybeth Peters, the United States Register of Copyrights, and additional high-level panels. Registration is $199 for NARM and CMA members, $249 for non-members and $99 for students and artists. More information is available here.
Jim Lauderdale to Receive SESAC’s Inspiration Award
/by contributorTwo-time Grammy winner Lauderdale, who is being recognized for his timeless, genre-defying music, has penned songs for George Strait, Lee Ann Womack, Vince Gill, the Dixie Chicks and Patty Loveless, among others. He has collaborated with Elvis Costello, Emmylou Harris, Ralph Stanley, and a multitude of artists across the country and Americana spectrum.
The SESAC Nashville Music Awards, which is the only performing rights organization show that honors music in the Americana genre, will also feature a performance from iconic Texas artist Ray Wylie Hubbard and other surprise guests. Over 400 of the industry’s top artists, songwriters, publishers and music executives are expected to attend the event.
Weekly Chart Report (11/05/10)
/by FreemanEric Lee Beddingfield (R) recently joined J. Brooks (L) in the studio at KSMA 98.7 Kiss Country Mason City, IA. Beddingfield was in town to play a few shows and open for Colin Raye.
SPIN ZONE
There is movement at the top of the CountryBreakout Chart, as The Band Perry’s “If I Die Young” capitalizes on its 23 week climb by taking the No. 1 spot. Rascal Flatts’ “Why Wait” makes a big jump from No. 6 – 2, picking up 136 new spins in the process. Brad Paisley’s “Anything Like Me” moves 5 – 3, scooting ahead of Reba’s “Turn On The Radio” which holds at No. 4.
It’s still tough going for artists trying to reach the Top 20. Unless, of course, your name is Kenny Chesney. His latest “Somewhere With You” has the biggest spin gain of the week (565) and jumps 11 spots to No. 28 a few days ahead of its official add date. For others, it’s a slow grind. Chris Young’s “Voices” adds 120 spins, moving to 25 – 23 after 15 weeks. Similarly, Cody McCarver’s “I’m America” adds spins and moves up one spot to No. 27 after 21 weeks. Some older titles appear to be on the way out, so coming weeks should provide room for singles to grow.
After a slow beginning, Gwyneth Paltrow’s movie theme “Country Strong” suddenly has legs. It debuted at No. 79 in the previous chart, and makes an impressive leap to No. 66 this week. Also speedily moving upward is Josh Turner’s take on the Don Williams hit “I Wouldn’t Be A Man,” which moves to 78 – 62.
Frozen Playlists: KNCQ, KYEZ, KYYK, WAKG
Upcoming Singles
November 8
Blake Wise/I’ve Got This Feeling/Broken Bow
Kenny Chesney/Somewhere With You/BNA
Easton Corbin/I Can’t Love You Back/Mercury
November 15
Kelly Parkes/Nothing/Edge Records/Lofton Creek
Lathan Moore/Love In Your Life/Blue Steel
• • • • •
New On The Chart—Debuting This Week
Artist/song/label — chart pos.
The Dirt Drifters/Something Better/WMN — 74
Chris Filer/John Deere, John 3:16/Lofton Creek — 78
Lee Brice/Beautiful Every Time/Curb — 79
Braden Gray/A Little Less Lonely/ATP Records — 80
Greatest Spin Increase
Artist/song/label — spin+
Kenny Chesney/Somewhere With You/BNA — 565
Toby Keith/Bullets In The Gun/Show Dog – Universal — 230
Tim McGraw/Felt Good On My Lips/Curb — 214
Keith Urban/Put You In A Song/Capitol — 210
Lady Antebellum/Hello World/Capitol — 183
On Deck—Soon To Be Charting
Artist/song/label — spins
Eric Lee Beddingfield/The Gospel According To Jones/Rebel Dawg Music — 207
Uncle Kracker/Good To Be Me/Top Dog/Atlantic — 196
Easton Corbin/I Can’t Love You Back/Mercury — 185
Brantley Gilbert/My Kind of Crazy/Average Joe’s Entertainment — 175
Jason Sturgeon/Rollin’ On/Toolpusher/Spinville/Nine North — 173
Two Week Most Added*
Artist/song/label — New adds
Kenny Chesney/Somewhere With You/BNA — 18
Eric Lee Beddingfield/The Gospel According To Jones/Rebel Dawg Music — 12
Josh Thompson/Won’t Be Lonely Long/Columbia — 10
Little Big Town/Kiss Goodbye/Capitol — 9
Josh Turner/I Wouldn’t Be A Man/MCA — 8
Lee Brice/Beautiful Every Time/Curb — 8
Reprise Records’ Frankie Ballard welcomed industry insiders to his final rehearsal Wednesday evening (11/3) at Soundcheck Nashville before joining Uncle Kracker on a club tour. His energetic set showcased his dazzling guitar hero skills and featured songs such as “Get On Down The Road,” “Sober Me Up,” and his single “Tell Me You Get Lonely.” (L-R): Chris Stacey (Warner Music Nashville Senior VP Promotion), Chad Schultz (Warner Music Nashville National Promotion Director), Bruce Burton (Warner Music Nashville Director Of Brand Management), Frankie Ballard, Keith Kaufman (WSIX Program Director), Ashley Weimer (WSIX Promotions Director) and John Marks (Sirius XM Senior Director, Country Music Programming)
KBEQ/Kansas City celebrated with Trailer Choir at the station’s Halloween Bash 2010. (L-R): Butter (in the dreads); $5 Shug as 5 Shug; Zeke Montana (Toga) from the KBEQ morning show; Colleen Bardone (she went as Crystal), Big Vinny as Super Mario; Crystal (bondage kitty cat); KBEQ’s PD/Mike Kennedy like we’ve never seen him; his wife Nycki as a cowgirl; KBEQ’s MD/TJ McEntire as Snookie; and her husband Matty “the Situation.”
Jury Says Hands Off in EMI Fraud Case
/by contributorGuy Hands and David Wormsley
Terra Firma Chairman Guy Hands has lost his multibillion dollar legal suit against lender Citigroup yesterday. The trial explored Hands’ 2007 purchase of EMI and Hands’ alleged claim that Citigroup’s Chairman of U.K. banking David Wormsley “duped” him into overpaying for EMI. The jury unanimously voted that Citigroup was not liable in the buyout.
The New York Post stated that this verdict could severely impact Hands’ reputation as a “top dealmaker,” and that it could force the buyout firm to lose control of the iconic British label, which had been showing signs of recovery with recent successes such as Katy Perry. Terra Ferma is reportedly “considering its options” and “reserves the right to appeal” the decision, although the company’s investors may balk at putting more money towards legal fees.
Citigroup released a statement, claiming, “We are very pleased that the jury reached a unanimous verdict confirming what we have said from the beginning: that Citi and David Wormsley treated Terra Firma with honesty and integrity in the EMI transaction. The jury’s verdict makes clear that Terra Firma’s irresponsible accusations of fraud were nothing more than a misguided attempt to gain leverage in debt restructuring negotiations.”
Terra Firma acquired EMI in August of 2007 for $6.5 billion.
Terra Firma faces a looming debt deadline on March 31, 2011, and industry insiders are exploring the imminent possibility that Terra Firma could default, which could result in Citigroup selling off EMI’s label and publishing groups. Billboard reports that, at best, Terra Firma hopes for income-generating hits that would provide enough revenue and profits, enabling the company to avert violating the loan covenants with Citigroup.
Live Nation Suffers Concert Decline
/by adminLive Nation Entertainment Chief Executive Michael Rapino
The Associated Press is reporting that Live Nation Entertainment 3rd quarter net income fell to $51.4 million or 30 cents per share compared with $69.2 million/78 cents per share during the same period last year. The disappointing results were blamed upon heavy discounting of summer ticket prices. Live Nation merged with Ticketmaster in Jan. 2010.
AP reports Chief LNE Executive Officer Michael Rapino told analysts on a conference call Thursday the company is “scared of what will happen in November and December if that trend continues.” Live Nation reports that third quarter concert attendance dropped 16% to 16.4 million.
“Clearly the adverse economic environment has negatively impacted our concert business during the 2010 year so far, and has had a similar impact on our ticketing and artist businesses as well,” said Irving Azoff, Executive Chairman of Live Nation Entertainment. “We continue to grow our Artist Nation business with new signings and acquisitions. While our roster of superstar clients and tour schedules for 2011 remains strong, we need some improvement in the overall economic environment in order to optimize profits going forward.”
Country tours may be doing better than other formats perhaps due to more affordable ticket pricing and added value in the form of packaging multiple acts into one show. According to The Tennessean, last October’s International Entertainment Buyers Association conference in Nashville, “was already coping with less-than-good news about the music trade at the time because of lousy ticket sales and canceled shows at virtually every major concert venue in the first half of this year. Without being able to charge higher ticket prices and with corporate sponsorship dollars falling off, some concert venues might have to rethink whether they can afford the big-name acts they’ve been accustomed to booking, some participants said.”
“We know that they want to come, but we’ve got to make it affordable for them,” said Rapino.
Chrysalis Draws Admiring Glances
/by adminChrysalis has confirmed that it has been discussing “merger opportunities,” but failed to disclose any names. This past year has seen a number of high profile music publishing merger and acquisitions. BMG Rights added Cherry Lane, Stage Three Music and Evergreen Copyrights to its roster. Chrysalis recently acquired S1 Songs America.
According to sources, one stumbling block to a completed deal revolves around Chrysalis Chairman Chris Wright’s desire to maintain management control. Wright owns a 29% stake in Chrysalis.
Publishing company values appear to be undergoing some marketplace fluctuation. According to the Post, “Chrysalis has an estimated value of $200 million, although industry insiders believe that figure is overstated and suggest it might be about half that amount.” Bug Music, now named as a possible Chrysalis merger candidate, was previously involved in acquisition discussions with BMG Rights Management among others, but apparently none of the parties were offering a price in the $250-$300 million range which Bug required.
Chrysalis has a Nashville office headed by Executive VP Dale Bobo.
Howard and Sebastian Accomplish “Nothing”
/by adminProducer Chuck Howard and Gwen Sebastian
Producer Chuck Howard’s studio sessions with new artist Gwen Sebastian have produced what they hope might become the perfect tear jerker for 2011, country’s latest breakup song, “Nothing.”
The song, co-written by Jason Matthews, Lisa Carver and Sebastian, is the third release from her six-song EP V.I.P. on Open Road Records. Sebastian was selected as an “artist to watch in 2010” by Country Weekly magazine.
“I feel so honored and privileged to be working with Chuck Howard, who has created hits for LeAnn Rimes, Trick Pony, and Deana Carter, among others” says Sebastian. “I went through a really bad break up in my life. It was that kind where you just lay around and can’t eat. And then you go through the phase where you want all the ice cream and wine you can take. Mine was praline crunch ice cream and red wine. This song is very close to my heart.”
Songwriter Ronny Scaife Passes
/by Robert K OermannThe creator of such hits as “The Whiskey Ain’t Workin,’” and “Hearts Are Gonna Roll,” suffered a brain hemorrhage at his home in Perry Country on October 25 and was life-flighted to St. Thomas Hospital in Nashville. He never regained consciousness.
“He was a gem of a guy,” said Dan Hill of Cal IV Entertainment. “Everybody loved him. He was a great guitarist, a great singer and a great songwriter. He was a good, good man.”
In addition to the two hits above (the former sung by Marty Stuart & Travis Tritt in 1992 and the latter by Hal Ketchum in 1993), Ronny Scaife also won BMI awards for “Men” (Charly McClain, 1980), “Wrinkles” (Diamond Rio, 2003) and “I Couldn’t See You Leavin’” (Conway Twitty, 1991).
Other notable songs in his large catalog include “Me and the I.R.S.” (Johnny Paycheck, 1978), “Old Man River I’ve Come to Talk to You Again” (Mel McDaniel, 1983), “Here’s Your Sign Get the Picture” (Bill Engvall & Travis Tritt, 1997), “Lay Something on My Bed Besides a Blanket” (Charly McClain, 1977), “Salt of the Earth” (Ricky Skaggs & The Whites, 2007), “Redneck Games” (Jeff Foxworthy & Alan Jackson, 1996), “Drinkin’ My Way Back Home” (Gene Watson, 1984) and “Alabama Clay” (Garth Brooks, 1989).
Among the many artists who included his songs on their albums are Randy Travis, Montgomery Gentry, Mark Collie, The Osborne Brothers, Reba McEntire, Don Williams, Dottie West, Alabama, Confederate Railroad, The Beach Boys, Andy Williams and Billy Ray Cyrus.
Ronny Scaife is survived by his wife Brenda and children Coty, Jake and Nathan. Music Row producer Joe Scaife is his cousin.
Visitation will be on Friday from 5 to 9 p.m. and Saturday at 10 a.m. with services to follow at 11 a.m. The location is Young Funeral Home at 25 Buffalo River Heights Road in Linden, TN.
The Ronny Scaife Memorial Fund to assist the family with medical expenses is being set up at Regions Bank.
SESAC Signs Armiger
/by contributorConfessions debuted at No. 6 on Amazon, No. 11 on iTunes, and No. 36 on Billboard Heatseeker.
Armiger will release her new single, “Best Song Ever,” to radio next week.
Liz Rose Launches Independent Publishing Company
/by contributor“I am finally doing this,” says Rose about the opening of her own publishing company. “I am excited to be able to have this opportunity and help to nurture a family of amazing writers.”
Rose is renowned for her work with superstar Taylor Swift, notably, “Tim McGraw,” “Teardrops On My Guitar,” “Picture To Burn,” “Fearless,” “You Belong With Me” and many more titles with Swift. Other hits include “Songs About Rain,” by Gary Allan, “Walk Away,” by Martina McBride, and cuts by such superstars as Bonnie Raitt, Tim McGraw, Lee Ann Womack, Jewel, Trisha Yearwood and many more.
“We are launching with one of the industry’s most seasoned of songwriters in Liz,” says General Manager/Creative Director Scott Ponce. “Our goal is to manage our assets to their fullest potential and continue to develop the talent we are signing.”
Grammy winner Rose has been designated as Songwriter of the Year by SESAC (2007) and was honored with BMI’s 2008 Song of the Year for “Teardrops On My Guitar” with Taylor Swift.
Liz Rose Music, Inc. is located at
1301 16th Ave south suite 204 Nashville, TN 37212.
Phone: 615-618-5509