Recording Academy Amends “Best New Artist” Rules

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Blame it on Lady Gaga. In the wake of the flamboyant pop star’s exclusion from its Best New Artist category at this year’s 52nd annual Grammy Awards, the Recording Academy has changed its rules to allow for leeway for artists previously nominated in the category. The changes will be in place for the upcoming 53rd annual Grammy Awards, which are set for Feb. 13.

Although Lady Gaga was certainly one of last year’s most popular new artists, she was ineligible for the best new artist nomination because her hit, “Just Dance” had been nominated in 2008 in the best dance recording category, before her career exploded with her debut release, The Fame. The rules state that previous Grammy nominees can’t be nominated for best new artist.

“There will be some changes so that particular situation won’t repeat itself,” said Recording Academy President Neil Portnow after Gaga’s headline-generating exclusion from the category.

The rule changes for 2011 will allow acts in a similar situation to be considered for best new artist, provided the act or group did not win a Grammy.

“More and more, the first release of a new artist is as a featured artist on someone else’s album, or the new artist may release a single long before the release of his/her/their entire first album,” the Recording Academy explained in a statement. “By current rules, if the other artist’s album or the new artist’s single receives a nomination, the new artist may never have the opportunity to compete in the best new artist category.”

“Every year, we diligently examine our awards process to ensure that it remains relevant within the current musical landscape,” Portnow said. “These eligibility amendments recognize present trends in music, and our Board of Trustees continues to demonstrate its dedication to keeping the Recording Academy a pertinent and responsive organization in our dynamic music community.”

EMI Publishing Promotes Creative Staffers

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EMI Music Publishing Nashville has promoted three of its A&R team to new roles, it was announced today by Executive Vice President & General Manager Ben Vaughn.

“Big” Tom Luteran moves from Senior Director to Vice President of A&R, marking the latest step up in his fifteen year career on Music Row. In a parallel move, Josh Van Valkenburg is promoted from Manager to

"Big" Tom Luteran

Director of A&R. Both Luteran and Van Valkenburg will focus on discovering and nurturing new country songwriting talent, as well as managing EMI Music Publishing’s hit songwriter roster including Rhett Akins, Dallas Davidson, Jamey Johnson, Kelley Lovelace, Tom Shapiro, Jeremy Stover and Chris Young.

Hannah Williams has been promoted to the newly created position of Manager of Creative Resources. In addition to assisting the Nashville A&R team and songwriters, Williams will act as a liaison with EMI Music Publishing’s New York-based Music Resources sales and licensing team with a focus on finding new synchronization revenue and catalog opportunities for Nashville writers.

Josh Van Valkenburg

The moves follow the appointment of Vaughn to lead EMI Music Publishing’s Nashville operations in April this year.

“Big Tom, Josh, & Hannah are talented and driven people that care deeply about furthering the careers of EMI songwriters,” Vaughn says. “I’m proud to announce the next steps in their careers as music publishers, and I look forward to continuing to work with them as part of the EMI family.”

Luteran began his career on Music Row in 1995, before moving into music publishing in 1996 as Creative Director at Zomba. After a brief spell at Acuff-Rose, Luteran moved to EMI Music Publishing in August 2002. Both Valkenburg and Williams launched their careers in music publishing at EMI.

Hannah Williams

EMI Music Publishing is the world’s leading publisher of popular music, representing more than one million copyrights including some of the best known songs ever written. Recent hits from EMI Music Publishing Nashville include “Water,” “That’s How Country Boys Roll,” “In Color,” “Start A Band,” “Gettin’ You Home,” “God Love Her,” Gimmie That Girl,” & “Need You Now.”

Trailer Choir Makes Opry Debut

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Show Dog-Universal Music recording artists Trailer Choir made their Opry debut on June 29, performing  a couple of songs from their brand new, debut CD Tailgate (released July 6). Trailer Choir treated the Ryman Auditorium audience to their big hit, “Rockin’ The Beer Gut,” as well as brand new single “Shakin’ That Tailgate.”

(l-r): Trailer Choir's Crystal; Grand Ole Opry VP and GM Pete Fisher; Trailer Choir's Butter and Big Vinny and the band's drummer Weston Harvey.

Can Country’s 2nd Six Months Rescue Sales Slide?

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As the second quarter and first half year of 2010 ends, country’s sales total of 18.71 million albums is not overly impressive. Optimists can take solace however, in the knowledge that it is the second half and more precisely the fourth quarter where the year’s totals get etched into the history books. That year-end attack on consumer pocketbooks is precipitated by the holiday gift giving season, which traditionally adds great upward momentum to album sales charts and therefore is the period which also attracts many superstar—high volume—releases.

Year-to-date, that is sales from Jan.—June 2010—Lady Antebellum’s sophomore Need You Now has burned up the charts, leading country’s YTD sales and scanning 2.36 million units according to Nielsen SoundScan. Filling out the Top five highest YTD selling country albums with six month sales numbers are Zac Brown Band (616k), Taylor Swift (587k), Carrie Underwood (451k) and Miranda Lambert (352k). Lady A was the only 2010 debut on the list. But as discussed above, there is a growing list of new releases either officially announced or expected. Trace Adkins (8/17), Jamey Johnson (9/14), Kenny Chesney (9/28) and Sugarland (10/19) are among some of those announced. But insiders are also expecting to see product from artists such as Zac Brown Band, Jason Aldean and Taylor Swift.

Digitally Speaking
Digital sales have accounted YTD for 15.3% of total country album sales. At this time last year, that percentage was 11.4%. All genre consumers purchased about 27% of albums in the digital format, showing that country buyers are still behind the digital curve, but the format’s digital growth shows country catching up. One can assume that purchasing albums in digital format is a trend that will continue growing across the board as shelf space at brick and mortar stores continues to shrink.

Country finally got its own Top 100 digital tracks chart this year, a list of each week’s Top selling downloaded tracks. Some quick math shows this chart scanning about one million tracks per week or perhaps adding an annual “ten-tracks-per-album” equivalent of roughly 7-10 million additional albums to country coffers. While track sales are not sufficient to offset the drop in album sales, they can be a nice bonus for the lucky artists at the top of the chart. For example, this week Carrie Underwood’s “Undo It” sold 48k units and Jaron and the Long Road To Love’s “Pray For You” saw almost 48k transactions. Labels receive about 70¢ from each sale which then gets divided up with publisher, writer, artist and producer royalties, plus other expenses such as overhead.

With the year end still a tumultuous six months away, it would be dangerous to make many predictions. However, if all the above new releases materialize, and perhaps even a few more appear, it’s possible that country could sell the additional 28-30 million albums necessary to end 2010 flat. But even if unit sales do match last year, it seems highly likely that revenue will not. Regardless, after three consecutive down years, this writer’s guess is that most Nashville album marketers would call flat the new up and consider 2010 a success.

Bridgette Tatum Seeks Extras For Video Shoot

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Root 49 Records artist Bridgette Tatum is calling  for music and sports fans to appear as extras in a music video for the upcoming 2010 Atlantic Coast Conference Football season. Tatum’s song, “Loud,” was recently named the 2010 ACC Football theme song. The shoot, performed for ACC Advanced Media and Raycom Sports Productions, will  take place tomorrow (7/8) at 12th and Porter at 1:30 PM. To  RSVP to the video shoot as an extra, email BTLOUD@gmail.com.

Tatum hasn’t slowed down this year as she crisscrosses the states promoting her music and six-song EP entitled A Taste Of Sex, Church & Chicken throughout the summer. Her current single, “Thats Love Y’all,” just debuted at #51 on the  Billboard Indicator chart and is climbing steadily. For more  information on  Tatum, visit www.bridgettetatum.com.

The Atlantic Coast  Conference (ACC) is a collegiate athletic league in the United States. The ACC sponsors competition as a Division I member of the National  Collegiate Athletic Association for its twelve member institutions:  Boston College, Clemson, Duke, Florida State, Georgia Tech, Maryland,  Miami, North Carolina, NC State, Virginia, Virginia Tech and Wake  Forest.

DISClaimer Reviews (7/7/10)

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Company, halt!

Rockie Lynne, Cory Walker and Jadi Norris all want you to stop whatever you’re doing and salute our armed services. Alas, only Rockie’s song is a fitting and listenable soldier tribute.

Lacking any other newcomer competition this week, the Canadian trio Hey Romeo nails down a DisCovery Award. They have Byron Hill to thank for it, because he is at least partly why they sound so good.

Competing for Disc of the Day were Georgette Jones, Joe Nichols and Burns & Poe. All three are well worth your attention. But the Joe Nichols single has the extra finesse it takes to finish first.

BURNS & POE/How Long Is Long Enough
Writer: Keith Burns/Frankie Golden; Producer: Hal Oliverius; Publisher: none listed; Blue Steel (track) (www.burnsandpoe.com)
—In a word, “Wow.” LOVE the track: It pulses like a heartbeat. Michelle aches exquisitely in her lead vocal. The chorus has monstrous hooks. This thing has the wings of a mighty angel.

HEY ROMEO/Searchin’ For You
Writer: Rob Shapiro/Darren Gusnowsky/Stacie Roper/Victoria Banks; Producer: Byron Hill & Hey Romeo; Publisher: Rob Shapiro/Darren Gusnowsky/Stacy Roper/Little Spoon/Victoria Banks/Sony ATV Cross Keys, SOCAN/ASCAP; Royalty (Canada)(track) (www.heyromeo.com)
—Hey Romeo is a pop-country trio from western Canada. The CD is titled That’s the Way I Am. Stacie Roper’s lead vocal on its bopping lead-off single is assured if somewhat whitebread and bland. The production and instrumental support are both absolutely superb.

GEORGETTE JONES/Slightly Used Woman
Writer: Tammy Wynette/Melvin Powers/Tommy Boyce; Producer: Justin Trevino; Publisher: Songs of Universal, no performance rights listed; Heart of Texas (track) (www.heartoftexascountry.com)
—The title tune to Georgette’s new CD is one of her mother’s lesser known songs. True to her heritage, she wrings every drop of emotion out of the steel-soaked ballad. This woman can sure-enough sing. She also covers “I Don’t Wanna Play House” and her father’s “The Race Is On” on the collection. If you love country music, this is essential listening.

ROCKIE LYNNE/Proud To Be A Soldier
Writer: Rockie Lynne/Mark Prentice; Producer: Mark Prentice & Rockie Lynne; Publisher: Carolina Blue Sky/Song for John, BMI; CBSR (track) (www.rockielynne.com)
—Rockie’s current project is called Songs for Soldiers. It kicks off with this thumping rocker that will make you want to stand and salute our fighting men and women. Spirited, to say the least.

VINCE HATFIELD/Through That Glass
Writer: Jeff Jackson; Producer: Eric Paul & Vince Hatfield; Publisher: Judy Harris/Launch Her, ASCAP; Blue Moon (track) (www.vincehatfield.com)
—If they ever give out an award for the indie act who puts out the most singles, this guy is going to win it. This morbid ballad concerns a drinking driver who kills and winds up in prison. Guess what? He reforms himself. Betcha didn’t see that one coming.

GEORGE STRAIT/The Breath You Take
Writer: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; MCA Nashville
—It sounds like he’s rehearsing for a gig fronting the New York Philharmonic.

CORY WALKER/Soldier’s Last Letter
Writer: none listed; Producer: Eric Paul; Publisher: none lited; Walker (track) (www.corywalkermusic.com)
—How on earth a teenager even knows this 1944 Ernest Tubb chestnut is beyond me. I can tell you this much, he doesn’t have the vocal maturity to pull it off.

JADI NORRIS/Hail The American Soldier
Writer: none listed; Producer: Gabriel Farago; Publisher: none listed; NSD (track)
—It begins with the John F. Kennedy sound clip, “Ask not what your country can do for you/Ask what you can do for your country.” Vocally, it’s all down hill after that.

JOE NICHOLS/The Shape I’m In
Writer: Rhett Akins/Dallas Davidson/Ben Hayslip; Producer: Mark Wright; Publisher: EMI Blackwood/Rhettneck/String Stretcher/WB/Melissa’s Money/Get a Load of This, BMI/ASCAP; Show Dog Universal
—Heartbreak never sounded groovier. He’s lost her, but the cool backbeat, electric guitar work, harmonica touches and choppy-rhythm-happy track all help the aching vocal performance go down smoothly. What a class act this guy is.

GORD BAMFORD/Day Job
Writer: Gord Bamford/Byron Hill; Producer: Gord Bamford & Byron Hill; Publisher: God Bamford/Almo/Great Escape, SOCAN/ASCAP; Cache Entertainment (Canada) (track) (www.gordbamford.com)
—Gord is a big star north of the border. His trip to Music City last year resulted in a dandy and very country CD whose twanging, uptempo title tune is bound to liven up dance floors everywhere. Grab hold and hang on.

Women Rock For The Cure Plans Pink Benefit

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Women Rock For The Cure  (WRFTC) is once again turning up the pink this summer with the second annual Pink Trash Ball on Saturday, August 28 at local hot spot Mad Donna’s Restaurant in East Nashville (1313 Woodland St., Nashville, TN).  Doors open at 8:00 PM.  

This hot pink-themed evening features a live DJ spinning music favorites from all decades, dancing, pink carpet arrival and the delicious signature WRFTC pink cocktails. Come decked out in your best festive pink attire, as there will be a king and queen of the ball crowned that night. Tickets are $10 and on sale beginning today (7/7) at nowplayingnashville.com.

All of the proceeds will benefit Women Rock For The Cure and the Greater Nashville affiliate of Susan G. Komen For The Cure®. The funds raised by the Komen Race for the Cure® Series help support breast cancer research grants, meritorious awards, and community outreach programs. The Komen foundation, raises awareness for the fight against breast cancer, celebrates breast cancer survivorship, and honors those who have lost their battle with the disease.

Chesney To Present on ESPY Awards

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He’s taken batting practice with the Boston Red Sox, been drafted and cut by the New Orleans Saints and is now in the final stages of co-producing and co-directing The Boys of Fall, a 90 minute documentary on high school football. And now, country superstar Kenny Chesney has been chosen as a presenter at the 18th Annual ESPY Awards, broadcast live July 14 at 8:00 PM/CT on ESPN.

“Obviously, I’m friends with an awful lot of coaches and athletes, so being able to do this, is being able to honor a lot of my friends – and that’s always nice,” Chesney says. “I’ve always tried to run my career like an athlete: have that discipline, that work ethic and gamesmanship. To be able to be a part of honoring people who’ve achieved at this level…the honor is all mine.”

A varsity member of the Gibbs High Fighting Eagles, Chesney stopped growing in his freshman year of high school, limiting his ability to play college sports. But growing up in East Tennessee, he never lost his passion for the game.

“When we’re on the road, we wake up with SportsCenter and leave ESPN on all day,” Chesney says. “It’s the one thing on the road that remains a constant for us out there… no matter where we are, it’s the one thing that is always on. So being asked to be a part of something with Drew Brees, Reggie Bush and Terrell Owens is cool.”

Among the other celebrities taking part in the night to honor the year’s greatest sports achievements are actors Samuel L. Jackson, Will Ferrell, Zac Efron, Tracy Morgan, Ashley Greene and Emmanuelle Chriqui, ESPN’s Chris Berman and Stuart Scott, action sports legend Shaun White, driver Danica Patrick, Evan Lysacek, Jorge Posas, Aaron Rodgers, Jeremy Shockey, Dara Torres and more.

Hemingway’s Whiskey, Chesney’s first new studio project in almost three years, arrives in-stores on Sept. 28.

Clay Walker Fights MS With BAMS

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Last Wednesday (6/30) multi-platinum recording artist Clay Walker and his charity organization, Band Against MS (BAMS), made a $50,000 donation to Dr. Lauren Krupp during the Third Annual Clay Walker Charity Classics Gala event at the world-renown Pebble Beach Resorts.

The BAMS donation will help support Krupp’s research on childhood multiple sclerosis (MS) at Stony Brook University Medical Center in Stony Brook, N.Y. With this donation, BAMS has contributed more than $150,000 to Krupp and the National Pediatric MS Center.

The tournaments Gala event raised more than $100,000 from live and silent auctions which will be used to fund education for those living with MS, research and to further support the mission and goals of BAMS. To date, BAMS has raised more than $2 million to fight MS.

Chrysalis Music Signs Jim McCormick

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Chrysalis Music Executive Vice President Dale Bobo has announced the signing of Nashville songwriter Jim McCormick to the publishing company. The day after McCormick signed with Chrysalis, the songwriter received the good news that new Columbia Records artist Joanna Smith had cut his song, “Georgia Mud.”

(l-r) Patricia Wittmer, Emily Byrd, Jim McCormick, Dale Bobo, Abbe Nameche, and Jersey Ross.