Big Kenny Sings (and Works) For Africa

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Big Kenny has created a new anthem celebrating the continent’s first-ever World Cup. “Heart Of Africa” will have its debut at a special concert in Nairobi which will benefit the UN World Food Programme.

“Big Kenny was an excellent choice to write this song and perform it as he is regarded as a true humanitarian, as his previous work in the Sudan and Uganda bear testament,” said Dr. Bonnie Dunbar, owner of the Karen Blixen Coffee Garden of Out of Africa fame. “His songs are uplifting, which is certainly what we needed for the occasion of Africa staging its first World Cup. Big Kenny underscores the diverse nature of everyone who finds a home in the heart of Africa.”

Because of his ongoing commitment to children in need (particularly in Africa), Big Kenny wanted to see the UN World Food Program in action. To fully understand the importance of the WFP school meals program, the singer/songwriter rolled up his sleeves and helped feed children at the Mathare Community Outreach School.

“We’re gratified that Big Kenny took the time to come to Nairobi to support our work.” said Rose Ogola, WFP Public Information Officer in Kenya.  “Hungry children cannot learn effectively. By providing them with nutritious food, they learn better and have a fighting chance to break the circle of poverty. We’re grateful that Big Kenny helped raise awareness for our school meals programs which assist the most vulnerable among us: our children.”

Big Kenny will debut “Heart Of Africa,” a song he co-wrote with Damien Horne, on July 11th – right before the World Cup Final, at a benefit concert for the UN World Food Programme staged at the Karen Blixen Coffee Garden. The “Heart Of Africa” studio recording with Horne will be available for sale on www.bigkenny.tv shortly after it is debuted in Nairobi.

“Big Kenny was an inspired choice to write “Heart Of Africa,” said event Executive Producer David Clark, CEO of David Clark Cause, and creator of President Mandela’s “46664” initiative. “He is probably the only American country music star who actively promotes causes in Africa; his recent work in Sudan to help build the Kunyuk Girls School and support for the Children’s choir from Uganda are proof enough. This song Big Kenny has created is a true anthem that all Africans can be proud of.”

The World Cup Celebration will take place on Sunday, July 11, and will set the stage for a future star-studded “Heart Of Africa” benefit concert hosted by Big Kenny and featuring world-renowned performers.

Ash Street Signs With Bluewater For Admin.

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Bluewater Music has announced the signing of a worldwide administration and creative placement agreement with Ash Street Music. Ash Street’s extensive catalog includes  songs penned by Monty Holmes, Greg Crowe, Ronnie Laws and Andi Zack, as well as singles from George Strait, Randy Travis, Josh Thompson and Will Hoge.

(l-r) Peter Roselli, Bluewater COO; Tom Gould & June McHugh, Ash Street co-owners; Rob Baker, Ash Street attorney.

Ride For a Cure and More Friday News

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Ride For a Cure Hosted by Little Big Town
The 4th Annual Ride for a Cure will be held this Sunday, July 11. The event kicks off with registration and live music from 8:00 AM-10:00 AM at the Tin Roof on Demonbreun Street. Artists performing at the Tin Roof include Brett Eldredge, Randy Montana and Cali Rodi. The ride will leave Nashville at 10:30 AM and head south to Harley-Davidson Columbia (I-65 & Exit 46). For non-riders, gates in Columbia open at 10:30 a.m. The party will continue once the riders arrive around noon, when Little Big Town takes the stage for an afternoon jam. Scheduled to appear are Luke Bryan, Josh Thompson, the Band Perry, Randy Houser and Storme Warren. Tickets are $300 for VIP, $35 for riders and $20 jam only. For more information visit www.nashvillerideforacure.com.

The Band Perry Readies Full-Length Debut
Republic Nashville’s The Band Perry will release their first album on October 5. The self-titled album will contain the trio‘s current single, “If I Die Young,” Written by the band, “If I Die Young” is now available on the trio’s self-titled EP, released in April and available through all major online music sites. 

“The song is The Band Perry’s second single for Republic Nashville. Their debut single, “Hip To My Heart,” was a Top Twenty hit. The video for “If I Die Young,” directed by David McClister, (Lady Antebellum, LeAnn Rimes), was shot at Nashville’s historic Two Rivers Mansion. In between summertime tour dates opening for such artists as Keith Urban, Brooks & Dunn, Alan Jackson and Zac Brown Band, the band is busy putting the finishing touches on their debut album.

Lee Brice Makes Top 10 Debut
Curb Records artist Lee Brice has scored his first Top 10 single with “Love Like Crazy,” the title track to his just released debut CD. While the recording artist is no stranger to hit songs from a songwriter’s perspective (he penned Garth Brooks’ “More Than a Memory,” and Tim McGraw’s “Still”), Brice says it’s an entirely different feeling when you hit that section of the charts as a recording artist.

“When this song hit Top 20, I remember thinking, it just can’t get any better than this,” Brice said. “But it did. To have a song break through the Top 10 is just an incredible feeling. I hope I get to experience what a Top 5 feels like!”

Kenny Chesney and The Steve Miller Band On CMT Tonight
Kenny Chesney and The Steve Miller Band take the stage for Friday night’s premiere of the newest installment of CMT’s hit series, Crossroads. Chesney says he never thought his life would bring him to a point where he would be performing with Miller.

“When I was in high school, I think all four years, and even into college, I know there was one CD that was a mainstay, and it was Steve Miller’s Greatest Hits. I listened to his music all the time and never thinkin’ my life was gonna turn out into a place where I would share the stage with him and sing with him…it’s really special.”

Restless Heart Signs With Big Show Music
Venerable country hitmakers Restless Heart has teamed with Big Show Music Co. for management. The band, currently reunited with all its original members – Larry Stewart, John Dittrich, Paul Gregg, Dave Innis, and Greg Jennings – has racked up seven No. 1 hits and four gold albums throughout its 27-year career, crossing over from country with several pop and AC hits.

Big Show Music Co., owned by partners Al McManus and Jeff Lysyczyn, is located at 818 18th Ave. South, Third Floor, Nashville, TN 37203. For more information on Restless Heart visit www.RestlessHeartBand.com.

Lifenotes
Congratulations to Curb Records A&R Music Consultant Kelly Lynn and BNA Recording artist Chris Janson who were married July 4th in Franklin. The small, private wedding took place on Panaroma Farms and included a performance by the groom.

“Nashville Sound” Engineer Bill Porter Passes

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Chet Atkins (left) and Bill Porter at the mixing console

Bill Porter, the prolific sound engineer whose work was an integral part of what became known as the Nashville Sound, passed away in St. Louis, Missouri on Wednesday (7/7). He was 79.

After starting his career at Nashville’s WLAC, Porter went to work for RCA and producer Chet Atkins in 1959. He would work with Atkins for the next four years. Over the course of his lengthy career, Porter recorded more than 579 charting records, including 49 top 10s, 11 No. 1s and 37 Gold records and engineered hit after hit for artists including Elvis Presley, Roy Orbison, the Browns, Boots Randolph and Al Hirt, to name a few. When asked by producer Owen Bradley how he achieved his winning studio sound, Atkins reportedly replied, “it was Bill Porter.”

In 1964, Porter moved from RCA to Columbia Records, where he spent six months before going to work for Fred Foster and his Monument label. At Monument, Porter perfected the sound that would bring Orbison a steady stream of hits, including “Only the Lonely,” “It’s Over,” “Running Scared,” and “Oh, Pretty Woman.”

Porter left Monument in 1966, moving to Las Vegas to manage United Recording of Nevada for audio engineering pioneer Bill Putnam of United Western Recorders in Los Angeles. When Presley’s Vegas sound engineer was unavailable for a show, Porter was called. He would serve as Presley’s live sound engineer until the singer’s death in 1977.

After finding some success as a music publisher, Porter was named director-at-large of the Country Music Association in 1972. For that organization, he prepared an instructional primer on sound techniques, describing microphones and their usage, loudspeaker types, audio mixers, and providing operating tips.

Over the years, Porter also worked with televangelist Jimmy Swaggart and engineered sessions with artists including Barbra Streisand, Diana Ross and Sammy Davis, Jr.

Despite never having graduated from college, Porter spent much of his later life in academia, co-writing the first college-level curriculum for audio engineering. His innovative techniques and are still taught in colleges and universities today.

In 1992, the TEC Foundation inducted Porter into their TEC Awards Hall of Fame, along with synthesizer pioneer Robert Moog and record producer Phil Ramone. In 2003, Porter won the William T. Kemper Award for Excellence in Teaching, and he was honored with a lifetime achievement award from the St. Louis chapter of the Audio Engineering Society.

Weekly Chart Report 7/09/10

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RADIO NEWS
West Texas Broadcasting’s KKCN/San Angelo, TX has named DK Pierce for music and programming duties, following the departures of Alex Hart and Tracy Scott. Pierce comes to the station from KOMG/Springfield, MO and he also spent time with KTST in Oklahoma City. Call times are Tuesdays from 10-12 central and you can reach him at dkpierce@westtexasbroadcasting.com.

Top: James Otto (center) visits with Kay Manley (L) and Dave Kelly (R) of WGKX before his show in Memphis for "KIX on Beale." Bottom: (L-R): KSCS/Dallas PD Chris Huff and Frankie Ballard.

SPIN ZONE
Keith Urban’s “I’m In” arrived at No. 1 last week after only eight weeks on the CountryBreakout chart, and maintains its hold on the top spot for a second consecutive week with a gain of 101 spins. Most of the Top 10 records, in fact, are younger than 20 weeks. While it’s not uncommon for a song to move quickly up the chart, it is pretty rare to see one reach No. 1 in 10 weeks or less. Not surprisingly, this isn’t Urban’s first time to achieve this feat: “Kiss A Girl,” “Tonight I Wanna Cry,” and “Days Go By” were all 10 week-or-less trips to No. 1.

Another superstar who has managed quick runs to No. 1 is Toby Keith, who has two No. 1 singles (“She Never Cried In Front Of Me,” “As Good As I Once Was”) under the 10 week mark, and at least six more that made it in 11 or 12. His latest, “Trailerhood” might be another, considering its rise to No. 25 in five weeks. Others with multiple fast-rising No. 1s include Lady Antebellum (current single “Our Kind Of Love” is No. 8 after seven weeks), Rascal Flatts, Garth Brooks and George Strait.

Taylor Swift’s “Love Story” and Carrie Underwood’s “Jesus Take The Wheel” are tied for the fastest rising female single in chart history at nine weeks, followed by Faith Hill’s “Mississippi Girl” and Gretchen Wilson’s “Redneck Woman” at 10 weeks. Hill’s husband Tim McGraw is the current chart record-holder, as his world-conquering “Live Like You Were Dying” rocketed to No. 1 in seven short weeks.

Biggest debut of the week goes to George Strait’s “The Breath You Take” which lands at No. 52. Others making first appearances include Darren Kozelsky’s “Somebody Find Me A Preacher” (No. 66), Joe Nichols’ “The Shape I’m In” (No. 69), Randy Rogers Band’s “Too Late For Goodbye” (No. 71), and Chelsea Field’s “Things I Should’ve Said” (No. 74).

Along with our new chart download format this week, we have expanded the chart to include 80 titles. As a result, Charlie Allen, James Wesley, Sean Hogan, The Springs, and Nathan Lee Jackson all get first week recognition.

Frozen Playlists: KBOE, KJAM, KYKX, WDHR, WHWK

Upcoming Singles: Going For Adds
July 12
Stealing Angels/He Better Be Dead/Skyville/Nine North
Thompson Square/Are You Gonna Kiss Me Or Not/Stoney Creek
George Strait/The Breath You Take/MCA
Jessie James/Boys In The Summer/Mercury
Train/Hey, Soul Sister/Columbia/BNA

July 19
Chris Young/Voices/RCA
Joe Nichols/The Shape I’m In/Show Dog – Universal
David Adam Byrnes/Sweet Distraction/Better Angels

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New On The Chart—Debuting This Week
Artist/song/label — chart pos.
George Strait/The Breath You Take/MCA — 52
Darren Kozelsky/Somebody Find Me a Preacher/Major 7th/Spinville — 66
Joe Nichols/The Shape I’m In/Show Dog – Universal — 69
Randy Rogers Band/Too Late For Goodbye/MCA — 71
Chelsea Field/Things I Should Have Said/Moxy Records — 74
Charlie Allen/Grandpa’s Recipe/River Run — 76
James Wesley/Real/Broken Bow — 77
Sean Hogan/Suck It Up/Lakeland Heart — 78
The Springs/Summer All Year Long/CFC — 79
Nathan Lee Jackson/Inside — 80

Greatest Spin Increase
Artist/song/label — spin+
Darius Rucker/Come Back Song/Capitol — 342
George Strait/The Breath You Take/MCA — 300
Toby Keith/Trailerhood/Show Dog – Universal — 268
Billy Currington/Pretty Good At Drinkin’ Beer/Mercury — 264
The Band Perry/If I Die Young/Republic Nashville — 257

On Deck—Soon To Be Charting
Artist/song/label — spins
Reba/Turn On The Radio/Starstruck/Valory — 220
Braden Gray/I’m Not Hungover/ATP Records — 218
Sonny Marshall/Wanna Be Like Him/Eddie One Records — 199
Chuck Wicks/Hold That Thought/RCA — 182
Jimmy White and Jonell Mosser/Just What I Need/Tone Box Records — 182

Two Week Most Added*
Artist/song/label — New adds
George Strait/The Breath You Take/MCA — 23
Reba/Turn On The Radio/Valory — 18
Joe Nichols/The Shape I’m In/Show Dog – Universal — 16
Darius Rucker/Come Back Song/Capitol — 16
Total adds rec’d over two weeks

Putting Secondary Radio First

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Diane Richey-Haupt

“In general what I’ve been seeing with some of the secondary stations,” says Diane Richey-Haupt, Owner of Diane Richey Promotions, “is different layers in the market. Many of the stations we deal with in an Activator or Indicator situation are highly consulted which makes it tough. On the MusicRow panel we find the stations are not as affected by consolidation, although it is true they are being asked to do more now than they did a few years ago. Thankfully, the stations remain passionate about listening to new music. New artists are having success and MusicRow seems to be popping them out ahead of where they come in on the Billboard or MediaBase charts. People/stations there are listening and making room for new music.”

“Right now I’m noticing the speed of the MusicRow chart has picked up and that is a good thing,” says Rick Kelly, VP Radio Marketing Marco Promotions. “On this week’s chart the average age of a record in the Top 5 is 14-15 weeks, probably because they are all really big acts and/or reactive records. But everything on the chart seems reasonably young and there are very few 40-week records. We are also seeing an interesting and heartening mix of independent and baby acts. The major heritage acts and superstars are still well represented, but the chart shows diversity.”

Rick Kelly

Songs played on major market radio are largely monitored while the smaller market station reports are submitted directly by programmers. “They are two different animals in a lot of ways,” says Kelly. “With a non-monitored chart, particularly a projected spin chart like MR, things seem to pick up steam more quickly. By the same token, on monitored charts, records that still appear to be growing can lose bullets. A song can have adds and positive spins, but be down in audience. People tend to have a knee jerk reaction and stay away from a record if it is un-bulleted, even though it might be growing or at least maintaining. Sometimes that microscope on every impression is not indicative of the health of a record.”

Richey-Haupt has championed secondary radio since forming her firm 25 years ago, but notes that, “living in a non-monitored world,” can present situations from time to time. Recently she found a few stations that possibly weren’t reporting some of the superstar artists they were playing. “It’s almost with an attitude of, ‘if they don’t call me then they don’t care,” she says. “I can’t imagine having a great sounding station and not playing some of these superstar artists–whether they call them or not.”

“There may be some stations out there under reporting for some reason,” says Kelly. “I haven’t encountered any. Maybe they don’t pay attention to some records because those records are not being brought to their attention.”

But Richey-Haupt asserts the good far outweighs the problems. “There’s only a handful of negative out there compared with a whole boatload of wonderful. The secondaries are where you find hugely passionate people that often have listened to the record even before you ask them about it.”

Kelly sums the attraction of secondary radio. “For an indie or a small label to succeed at monitored radio now seems to be a Herculean and near impossible task,” he says. “The secondary arena has been getting more crowded with people trying to break there because they realize how monumentally expensive it is when trying to break at the majors. It’s definitely easier to make inroads at secondary radio than mainstream.”

Success Is In The Cards For Taylor Swift

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Big Machine’s Taylor Swift is everywhere these days, and now, through the latest selections written and inspired by Swift for American Greetings Corporation, fans have been finding her in the greeting cards aisle as well. American Greetings’ latest selection of whimsical cards features 14 all new designs and classic summer imagery enhanced by Swift’s real-life sentiments.

The images maintain the “traditional with a twist” look that fans love, and numbered butterfly icons help card enthusiasts collect all of the latest greetings. To date, there are 43 Taylor Swift greeting cards.

“We had so much fun with the summer collection,” says Maureen Meidenbauer, Taylor Swift brand manager at American Greetings. “All of the sparkle mixed with classic summer photography instantly put us in a good mood as we were working on the cards, and we knew that was a really good sign. It is also great for us to see Taylor get excited about the products, and see that there are cards she loves and wishes she could already send out. We know there are others out there who can relate to the feelings in all of these cards, and we can’t wait for them to get a chance to share it!”

As an artist and musician, Taylor Swift has been able to transcend generations. During a recent ticket giveaway for her sold-out Fearless 2010 tour, American Greetings witnessed fans of all ages vying for a chance to see the singer live. Consumers have been writing on American Greetings’ Facebook wall, sharing how they’re purchasing, sending and collecting the cards.

Currently, the latest Taylor Swift greeting card collection can be found at select American Greetings’ retail partners throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico, the United Kingdom and online at americangreetings.com. By fall 2010 products will be sold in the Australia, New Zealand, and US military bases worldwide.

Sirius/XM Reports Subscriber Growth

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Sirius XM announced Wednesday (7/7) that their second-quarter subscriber additions have pushed their total subscriber base to over 19.5 million listeners. That represents a 1.1 million increase from last year, well above Wall Street predictions. The company subsequently raised its 2010 forecast for subscriber growth by nearly 50 percent, sending shares 6 percent higher. Sirius shares, which are up 67 percent this year, gained 6 cents to close at $1.

According to David Joyce, an analyst at Miller Tabak, much of that growth can be attributed to “continued strong auto sales.” Thanks in part to that automotive rebound,  Sirius said it added 583,249 subscribers after losing 185,999 a year earlier. The Sirius figure marks a net add-on of 754,690 during the first half, an impressive turnaround from a net loss of 590,421 during the same period in 2009. Close to two-thirds of all new cars sold in the US are equipped with satellite radio. In the most recent quarter, Sirius said nearly 47 percent of new car owners opted to continue paying for subscriptions following an initial trial period. That’s up slightly from 44 percent a year earlier.

“The further improvement in our guidance reflects the attractiveness of satellite radio but maintains a cautious outlook for continued improvement in the economy,” explained Sirius XM CEO Mel Karmazin.

Musician’s Union Elects New Officers

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Dave Pomeroy

Bassist Dave Pomeroy, President of the Nashville Musicians Association, AFM Local 257, was elected to the International Executive Board of the American Federation of Musicians at the organization’s 98th Convention in Las Vegas last week. Delegates representing the 90,000 members of the AFM voted for a major change in leadership, which has resulted in turnovers in the office of President and Vice President, as well as four out of five of the five-member International Executive Board (IEB).

The IEB serves a three-year term and is responsible for the governance of the federation of locals in the United States and Canada. Other new members of the board include Vince Trombetta, President of Local 47 in Los Angeles, Tino Gagliardi, President of Local 802 in New York City, and Tina Morrison, of Local 105 in Spokane, WA. The remaining incumbent IEB member who was re-elected is Joe Parente, Local 77, Philadelphia, PA.

Tom Lee, President of the Federation since 2001, was decisively defeated by Ray Hair, President of the AFM’s Dallas/Fort Worth Local, and longtime Vice President and former AFM Local 257 President Harold Bradley was unseated by Bruce Fife of Local 99, Portland, OR. Among the incumbents defeated in the field of 16 candidates were IEB members Billy Linneman (former Secretary/Treasurer of Local 257 in Nashville) and Bob McGrew, currently Secretary/Treasurer of Local 65-699, Houston TX.

Secretary/Treasurer Sam Folio and VP from Canada Bill Skolnik were the only other incumbents who retained their seats.

Upon his election, Pomeroy said, “I am honored and humbled to be an International Officer of the AFM, and I look forward to applying the lessons we have learned in Nashville as we work together to modernize and reinvent the AFM.”

The past five years had seen increasing conflict between AFM leadership under President Lee and AFM Player Conferences representing recording and symphonic musicians. The “Unity Slate’ of candidates – Hair, Fife, Trombetta, Gagliardi and Pomeroy – focused on a positive message of bringing the AFM back together, pledging a return to inclusive democracy, fiscal responsibility, and forward-looking initiatives. The delegates overwhelmingly voted to pass the torch of leadership to the next generation. The term of office will be three years, and the new officers will take office next month.

Lifenotes: Wilma “Trip” Turner; Don Wright; Logan Pereira; Betty Sue Crockett

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MusicRow sends deep condolences to members of the music community who have recently lost loved ones.

Longtime Nashville publicist/writer Judi Turner’s mother, Wilma “Trip” Turner passed away Wednesday (7/7). She was 84. A celebration of her life will be held on Saturday, July 10 at 11:00 am at First Baptist Church in Gainesville, Georgia. She is survived by daughter Judi, sons Ben, Dade City, Florida, and Johnny, Gainesville, and two grandchildren. Memorial contributions may be made to the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum or the Ministry of Caring, First Baptist Church, Gainesville, for which Mrs. Turner was a long-time volunteer.
First Baptist Church is located at 751 Green Street NW, Gainesville, GA  30501; (770) 534-7354. www.fbcgainesville.org

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Don Wright, father of Show Dog-Universal Records President Mark Wright, passed away Wednesday (7/7) in Bella Vista, AR. Services are Saturday at Bella Vista Community Church in Bella Vista AR. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Circle of Life Hospice, 901 Jones Rd, Springdale, AR 72762 Or Wings of Hope, 18370 Wings of Hope Blvd, St. Louis, MO. 63005

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Logan Walter Pereira, son of Taillight TV VP/partner Chandra LaPlume-Pereira and her husband Jeff Pereira, passed away July 6, 2010 at Vanderbilt Hospital. Born August 8, 2008, he was nearing his second birthday. Logan’s grandmother Jeannine Pereira remains in ICU. WKRN reports that the infant and grandmother were found in a swimming pool, after she was carrying him in the water and possibly experienced a medical issue. Funeral services for Logan will be Friday, July 9 at Christ the King church on Belmont Blvd. Visitation is from 10:30 AM-12:30 PM, with service immediately following, also at Christ the King.

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Craig Morgan’s mother Betty Sue Crockett passed away peacefully at home on Sat. July 3. She was 63 and had been battling cancer. Born in Davidson County, “Mammy” was a loving wife, mother, cabinet maker and devoted Baptist. Visitation will be today, Tuesday, July 6 from 2-8PM at Taylor Funeral Home in Dickson, TN. Funeral services will be conducted Wed. July 7, at 9 AM, also at Taylor Funeral Home, followed by burial at the Tennessee Veterans Cemetery in Pegram. Memorial donations may be made to the Center for Pancreatic Cancer research or to Billy’s Place (a home to be built for displaced children) c/o Taylor Funeral Home, 214 N. Main St. Dickson, TN 37055.

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