Dierks Bentley Sets Up NYC Residency

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Dierks Bentley is planning a four-night run in New York City next month, bringing special guests with him to a different venue each night.

Bentley will kick off his New York City residency on Oct. 18, with each show focusing on a different aspect of his career. The first evening Bentley will play all his chart-topping country hits at the Bowery Ballroom. He will spend the next evening with bluegrass legends the Del McCoury Band at City Winery. The week will progress with an intimate singer/songwriter night at Joe’s Pub where Bentley will be joined by award-winning songwriters Jessi Alexander, Jim Beavers and Jon Randall Stewart. The run will conclude in Brooklyn with acoustic virtuosos the Punch Brothers.

“This entire year has been about following my heart, musically,” says Bentley. “Getting the opportunity to be in New York in the Fall, playing with my heroes and my friends is really exciting…it’s a cool way for me to take everything we’ve done this year and pick it apart and really focus on each different element of the music for an entire night.”

A limited number of four day passes will be available on dierks.com beginning Fri., Sept 10 with single tickets available both on his web site and through each venue. Sirius/XM will also give fans across the country the opportunity to listen in as they stream the shows on both The Highway and Bluegrass Junction channels.

Bentley snagged three CMA Awards nominations last week for Male Vocalist of the Year, Album of the Year for Up On The Ridge, and Musical Event of the Year for the album’s track “Bad Angel” featuring Miranda Lambert and Jamey Johnson. The new music video for “Bad Angel” features appearances by both guest stars and was taped in front of a live crowd on Nashville’s historic Lower Broadway.

UP ON THE RIDGE – NEW YORK CITY DATES:
10/18    Bowery Ballroom       Country Concert
10/19    City Winery               Featuring the Del McCoury Band
10/20    Joe’s Pub                 Songwriter Night
10/21    South Paw                Featuring the Punch Brothers

Court Says iTunes Subject To Licensing, Not Sales Rates

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Eminem‘s first producers FBT won a lawsuit against his current label Universal Music Group and others on Friday (9/3), which claimed that the rapper’s music on iTunes was being licensed, not sold, and therefore was subject to a higher royalty percentage rate.

Eminem signed with FBT in 1995, and when he eventually moved to Universal, the new contract stated that FBT was entitled to a 12% royalty on “records sold” and 50% rate on licensing agreements, which typically refers to sync licensing.

Last week the Ninth Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals ruled that iTunes downloads can’t be considered sales. The court said that the label is licensing use of the master recordings to iTunes, which then sells the digital downloads without further involvement from the label.

The case was originally rejected by a lower court in California in 2009 and was sent up for appeal. Now it has been sent back to the lower court to determine the amount of damages.

“We will be filing a petition for a rehearing,” Universal said in a statement. “In the meantime, it should be noted that this ruling sets no legal precedent as it only concerns the language of one specific recording agreement.”

Most recording contracts today specifically address how to handle royalties for digital downloads, which would make this kind of after-the-fact litigation unlikely.

Nashville-based lawyer Richard Busch, a partner with King & Ballow, was among the attorneys representing FBT, according to the Tennessean.

Currington Show Breaks 20-year Attendance Record

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Members of Currington's Mercury Nashville/UMG team turned out to support him at the Kentucky State Fair, where he broke the attendance record. (L-R) Brian Wright, Senior Vice President, A&R, Universal Music Group Nashville (UMGN); Amber Williams, Senior Director, Artist & Media Relations, UMGN; Currington; Michael Deputato, Vice President, Digital, UMGN; Tom Lord, Vice President, Marketing, UMGN. Photo: Stephen Shepherd

Billy Currington set an attendance record during his recent show at Cardinal Stadium in Louisville, Kentucky. He drew 20,000 fans, breaking a 20-year-old Kentucky State Fair attendance record set by Charlie Daniels. Check out Currington’s acoustic version of his hit “Must Be Doin’ Somethin’ Right” recorded live in Kentucky.

Currington is gearing up for the release of his fourth album, Enjoy Yourself, coming out Sept. 21 through Mercury Nashville. The lead single “Pretty Good At Drinkin’ Beer” has hit No. 1 on the radio chart. A preview of the album is on YouTube.

Fans can also pre-order it on iTunes and receive a bonus acoustic track of the single.

Currington on stage at Cardinal Stadium in Louisville, Kentucky. Photo: Stephen Shepherd

Apple’s Ping 1 Million Strong

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Apple’s just-launched Ping social network on iTunes hit 1 million users within 48 hours of opening on Wednesday September 1, claims a report on the Apple website. The music-driven service is available to all with a download of iTunes 10, and allows users to follow their friends and favorite artists through a combination of features common in Facebook and Twitter. Though Ping user numbers are growing rapidly, they are currently a small percentage of total iTunes users, which number around 160 million.

Urban’s We’re All For The Hall Returns With Star Guests

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Keith Urban and his superstar friends will perform at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena on Oct. 5 in the second annual installment of his “We’re All for the Hall” benefit for the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. On the line-up for the evening are Urban, Country Music Hall of Fame members Vince Gill, Dolly Parton and Charley Pride, as well as John Mayer, Alan Jackson, Martina McBride, Miranda Lambert, Alison Krauss and Billy Currington.

“This year we’ve created a musical theme called ‘Heroes,'” said Urban. 
“I’ve asked each artist to play one of their favorite songs from one of their country heroes, besides of course, one of their own hits. There’s no doubt that this audience is going to experience a really special night – some of their favorite artists doing songs that, in some cases, they may have never even played live before…and quite possibly won’t ever again.”

“Last year’s We’re All for the Hall concert was a landmark for this institution,” said Museum Director Kyle Young. “It was the most successful fundraiser in the Museum’s history, netting nearly $500,000.”

Reserved seat tickets, which are priced at a family friendly $25 and $35 (does not include Ticketmaster surcharge), will go on sale Friday, September 17, at 10:00 a.m. at ticketmaster.com, all Ticketmaster locations and the Bridgestone Arena Box Office. Tickets may also be charged by phone at (800) 745-3000.

VIP Packages
VIP packages will go on sale Friday, September 17, at www.countrymusichalloffame.org. They include:

“Once in a Lifetime” Package/$3,000 per ticket
This package includes:
·         Invitation for one to an intimate dinner in the Country Music Hall of Fame Rotunda the evening of Monday, October 4, hosted by some of Keith Urban’s close friends and collaborators
·         Meet & greet for one with Keith Urban before the concert on October 5 (timing TBD), which includes an individual photo
·         One Keith Urban autographed guitar
·         One Premium Floor Concert Seat
·         One invitation to a Post-Concert Party at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum
·         One complete Keith Urban catalog per package on CD including: Keith Urban; Golden Road; Be Here; Love, Pain & the whole crazy thing; Greatest Hits: 19 Kids and Defying Gravity
·         One commemorative Hatch Show Print® event poster autographed by Keith Urban
·         One complimentary parking space for both the October 4 dinner and the October 5 concert within a one-block vicinity of the dinner, concert and post-party venues
·         One “Friends” membership to the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, which includes unlimited free admission for the entire household to the Museum and most public programs for one year (valued at $250)

“Making Memories” Package/$2,500 per ticket
This package includes:
·         Invitation for one to an intimate dinner in the Country Music Hall of Fame Rotunda the evening of Monday, October 4, hosted by some of Keith Urban’s close friends and collaborators
·         Meet & greet for one with Keith Urban before the concert on October 5 (timing TBD), which includes a group photo
·         One Premium Floor Concert Seat
·         One invitation to a Post-Concert Party at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum
·         One complete Keith Urban catalog per package on CD including: Keith Urban; Golden Road; Be Here; Love, Pain & the whole crazy thing; Greatest Hits: 19 Kids and Defying Gravity
·         One commemorative Hatch Show Print event poster autographed by Keith Urban
·         One complimentary parking space for both the October 4 dinner and the October 5 concert within a one-block vicinity of the dinner, concert and post-party venues
·         One “Friends” membership to the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, which includes unlimited free admission for the entire household to the Museum and most public programs for one year (valued at $250)

“I’m In” Package/$1,500 per ticket
This package includes:
·         One Premium Floor Concert Seat
·         One invitation to a Post-Concert Party at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum
·         One complete Keith Urban catalog per package on CD including: Keith Urban; Golden Road; Be Here; Love, Pain & the whole crazy thing; Greatest Hits: 19 Kids and Defying Gravity
·         One commemorative Hatch Show Print event poster autographed by Keith Urban
·         One complimentary parking spot for the October 5 concert and post-party within one-block vicinity of the venues
·         One “Friends” membership to the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, which includes unlimited free admission for the entire household to the Museum and most public programs for one year (valued at $250)

A portion of each VIP package is tax deductible to support the preservation of country music.

Dan Keen Acquires Advantage Talent Development

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(l-r) Dan Keen, Kimberly Keen, Nise’ Davies, Brad Davies (Photo credit: Philipa Davies)

Longtime music businessman Dan Keen and his wife, Kimberly, have acquired Nashville based modeling and talent training center, Advantage Talent Development. Advantage was founded in 1987 by former Miss Tennessee Nise’ Davies who will remain an integral part of the modeling and acting aspects of the operation.

“The entertainment industry is no longer about specialization,” said Keen. “Stars like Miley Cyrus, who started her career at Advantage, have demonstrated the advantage of developing multiple talents; songwriting, singing and acting. We offer the opportunity for Nashville’s music stars to become movie and television stars as well.”

During his 15-year tenure at ASCAP, Keen signed Ashley Gorley and Rachel Thibodeau to the organization. They went on to win Songwriter of the Year and Song of the Year, respectively. He also signed Chris Young, who was represented by Advantage for acting and modeling.

Kimberly Keen can be reached at Kimberly@advantagemodel.com or 615-790-5001. The offices are located at 230 Franklin Rd. Ste 802, Franklin, TN 37064. www.advantagemodel.com.

McCartney Inducted Into Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame

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Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Foundation Chairman Roger Murrah (l) and CMA board member Bob DiPiero (r) present Paul McCartney with the honor.

The Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame has given an Honorary Induction to Sir Paul McCartney, noting his indelible influence on Music City’s creative community.

Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame chairman Roger Murrah and CMA board member/hit songwriter Bob DiPiero presented McCartney with a plaque prior to his performance at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena on July 26. “Paul was warm, gracious and visibly moved by the honor,” said Murrah.

Painted and etched into glass, the plaque reads, “In celebration of the art of songwriting and the creative spirit shared by you and our members to which you have so richly contributed, we the board of directors do hereby present to you Sir Paul McCartney an Honorary Induction into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame, July 26th, 2010.”

“Creative exchanges constantly occur between music genres from around the world,” explained Murrah. “In this way, Nashville songwriters have influenced Paul and, with his amazing body of work, Paul has certainly influenced Nashville songwriters.” Click here to see just a few of the Nashville artists who have recorded McCartney’s songs.

“Paul’s songs have always been an inspiration to me,” said Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame inductee Kye Fleming. “I still have my original Meet The Beatles LP. It is in my office right now. I bought it when I was 13…coincidence that I started writing songs when I was 14? I don’t think so!”

Fellow inductee Gary Burr noted, “What I learned from Paul McCartney: every time I write a song and get to the bridge I try to make the bridge strong enough and different enough that it could have been another song’s chorus. That’s what Paul always seemed to be able to do. Whether it’s going to a minor chord unexpectedly or changing the rhythm, he always pushed that extra mile in his writing. When you are writing a song in G and go to the E minor for the bridge…you are not trying very hard…and you are NOT channeling Paul McCartney.”

For a more details about McCartney’s induction, read tomorrow’s @MusicRow for paid subscribers.

DuoMania: JaneDear and LoCash

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Danelle and Susie of the JaneDear girls spend some time with MD Tommy Garrett of WRNS in New Bern, N.C. and his daughter Lauren before a recent show.

(L-R) Danelle Leverett, Tommy Garrett (MD), Lauren Garrett, and Susie Brown

Preston Brust and Chris Lucas aka LoCash Cowboys performed the National anthem at LP Field in Nashville shortly before the TN Titans defeated Super Bowl Champs, New Orleans Saints. Photo: Bev Moser.

Chris Lucas (L) and Preston Brust (R), photographed with some Tennessee Titans Cheerleaders

Brooks & Dunn’s Final Ride

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After 20 years of making hit records together, Kix Brooks and Ronnie Dunn called it a day as a duo, and they did it in grand style, as Brooks & Dunn played their final show last night (9/2) at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena, as a benefit for the Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum.

Brooks & Dunn are joined by their Arista team members, past and present. (l-r): ASCAP VP, Managing Executive Tim DuBois; former Sony Music Nashville Chairman Joe Galante; Brooks; Dunn; Sony Music Nashville Chairman & CEO Gary Overton; and Capitol Nashville President & CEO Mike Dungan. (Photo credit: Thien Phan)

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Sony Music Nashville presented Brooks & Dunn and manager Clarence Spalding with gifts commemorating the duo’s 20-year career together. (l-r): R.J. Curtis, Bobby Kraig, Allen Brown, and Lauren Thomas. Pictured back (l-r): John Sigler, Butch Waugh, Skip Bishop, Maurice Miner, Ronnie Dunn, Gary Overton, Clarence Spalding, Kix Brooks, Laura McKinley, Lesly Tyson, Heather McBee, and Joe Galante. (Photo credit: Thien Phan)

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Members of the Arista Nashville promo team gather with Kix and Ronnie and a bevy of radio friends for this celebratory group hug. (Photo credit: Thien Phan)

Friday Photos: Radio Welcomes Artists

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Niemann In Kansas City
Sea Gayle/Arista Nashville’s Jerrod Niemann put his talents on display for listeners of WDAF (The Wolf)/Kansas City last week when he performed at Denim & Diamonds. During the show, Niemann conducted a contest to find the tallest man in the room, and it turned out to be WDAF programmer Dan Persigehl.

Jerrod Niemann (right) with WDAF's Dan Persigehl

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Ms. Smith Goes to Asheville
Joanna Smith was in Asheville, NC this week visiting WKSF/MD Brian Hatfield, who helped the Columbia Nashville newcomer christen her new guitar case with a Kiss Country Bumper sticker. Smith is on the road promoting her debut single, “Gettin’ Married.”

WKSF's Brian Hatfield (left) with Joanna Smith

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Carrie Goes to the Fair
Arista Records artist Carrie Underwood played the Minnesota State Fair this past Tuesday (8/31), where she caught up with KEEY (K102)/Minneapolis PD Gregg Swedberg and APD/MD afternoon man JD Greene.  Underwood is on the charts with “Mama’s Song,” the latest single from her CMA Album of the Year nominee, Play On.

Carrie Underwood (left) with KEEY's Gregg Swedberg

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Josh Turner “All Over” San Diego
MCA Nashville artist Josh Turner was in San Diego recently visiting with New Country 95.7’s drive time team Tony & Kris in the Morning. Turner talked about his new single, “All Over Me.”

(l-r): Tony, Josh Turner and Kris

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