Screenwriters Conference Draws Top Talent

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Standing in back are staff from panel sponsor ole, (L-R): COO Gillies Godard and stafters, Matt Turner, Whitney Taylor and Kele Currier. Seated are panelists Julia Michels, host/organizer Anastasia Brown, Howard Parr, Dave Jordan and Andrea Von Foerster. Photo: Alan Mayor

The 12th annual Nashville Screenwriters Conference hit town last weekend with events at the Union Station Hotel. One highlight of the gathering is always the Music in the Movies panel, held this year at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. Founded by 821 Entertainment Group President Anastasia Brown, the luncheon features advice from top music supervisors for those hoping to tap into the world of song placement in television and film, as well as opportunities to submit music for placement in upcoming projects.

For the recent event, Brown recruited Music Supervisors Julia Michels (Sex and the City 1 and 2, The Blind Side, The Devil Wears Prada), Andrea Von Foerster (500 Days of Summer, It’s Kind of A Funny Story, Stargate Universe), Howard Paar (Hung, Monster, L Word), and Dave Jordan (Iron Man 1 and 2, Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle, The Upside of Anger). Sponsored by ole.

Also at the Screenwriters Conference, a performance at the Loveless Barn by songwriters (L-R): Lori McKenna, Natalie Hemby, Jim Lauderdale (Host), Deana Carter and Rosanne Cash. Photo: Alan Mayor

Billboard Summit Talks Radio

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PPM, the evolution of the country demographic, and the artist royalty legislation were among the topics discussed at the Billboard Country Music Summit’s panel “The Changing Face of Radio: 2010 and Beyond” on Monday (6/7). Moderated by Billboard Sr. Chart Manager, Nashville, Wade Jessen, panelists included Paul Allen (Middle Tennessee State University), Tom English (Nashville VP/Mkt Manager Clear Channel), Steve Hodges (SVP Promotion, Capitol/EMI Nashville), Jeff Garrison (CBS Radio, KILT/Houston), and Bud Walters (Cromwell Radio Group).

Garrison’s market was one of the first to adopt Arbitron’s Portable People Meter (PPM) measurement, which he said reflects reality, rather than the flawed recall of survey subjects. “The biggest surprise,” he noted, “was that there were no surprises at all with PPM.” Sample sizes are currently small for PPM, but large markets like Nashville are preparing for when the time comes to switch.

English and Walters underscored the differences between large and small market radio when English noted how challenging the last 18 months have been. Revenues were down nearly 20%, and only projected to be back up 2% this year. And yet, he claimed, more people listened to terrestrial radio last year than any in history. Walters, on the other hand, noted the ease with which he sells advertising on WCRC, his small market country station in Illinois. “It’s the easiest format to sell because advertisers can relate to it.”

Garrison noted an ethnic shift in Houston (and possibly nationwide) that was affecting his listenership, but hasn’t seen any wide shift in demographics for country music. “It’s a cyclical business,” offered English, “driven by artists.” He added that years earlier, Garth Brooks had brought younger fans to the format much like Taylor Swift has.

The panel’s hot-button issue was clearly the Performance Rights Act. This stalemate does not seem likely to disappear soon, as the radio industry firmly believes the service it provides is mutually beneficial for both parties: radio gets free content to bolster their advertising, and airplay is like free advertising for artists/labels selling records. Walters indicated that the act’s passage could signal a widespread disappearance of music programming in radio. “The business I’m in is community service and selling commercials,” said Walters. “I’m agnostic about what goes between those.” Proponents of the legislation, namely Allen, pointed out that the US is one of a handful of countries worldwide to not have such a tax in place and that the annual costs would be variable for stations netting below $1.25M annually and variable for those above. English took issue with that figure, saying that his four stations in Nashville would be forced to pay over $3M annually for music.

On the bright side, country music remains a healthy format for radio. Capitol’s Hodges surmised that the fans are still tuning in, at least in part because of “artist accessibility to radio and fans” and an overall positive perception of the inudstry.

Global Artist Party Opens Music Fest

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Events surrounding the CMA Music Festival are already going strong. Yesterday brought the CMA Global Artist Party and the City of Hope Celebrity Softball Tournament. Today’s (6/8) events include the AristoMedia Global Showcase and Chely Wright’s Reading, Writing & Rhythm Benefit Concert with Trisha Yearwood and more.

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Eight Country music artists from around the world gathered in downtown Nashville Monday night, June 7, to help kick off CMA Music Fest week at the CMA Global Artist Party. Monday night’s showcase, held at The Stage on Broadway, featured artists Luke Austen (Australia), Jaydee Bixby (Canada), David Bradley (UK), Sinead Burgess (Australia), Cameron Clayton (New Zealand), Tim McKay (UK), One More Girl (Canada) and Alex J. Robinson (Canada). The evening’s events were hosted by Adam Gregory, who also played a set for the packed house.

Today at 3:30 PM at The Second Fiddle, Australian duo O’Shea hosts the AristoMedia Global Showcase, sponsored by the AristoMedia Group, CMA, Digital Rodeo, and Four Seasons Coach Leasing. Artists participating include Travis Collins (Australia), Emma King & The Heartsets (UK), the European Highwaymen (Norway), Jessie Farrell (Canada), Jo Hikk (Canada), Steven Lee Olsen (Canada), and Ronnie Rae Rivers (Australia).

Monday's CMA Global Artist Party. Pictured l to r: Chip Huffman (Four Seasons Coach Leasing), Britt McKillip (One More Girl – Canada), Steve Moore (CMA), Carly McKillip (One More Girl – Canada), Cameron Clayton (New Zealand), Alex J. Robinson (Canada), David Bradley (UK), Adam Gregory (Canada), Jeff Walker (AristoMedia), Mark Moffatt (CMA Global Artist Party producer), Tim McKay (UK), Jaydee Bixby (Canada), Sinead Burgess (Australia), Luke Austen (Australia).

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Chevy, "The Official Ride of Country Music," and a committed Music Festival sponsor, hosted a music industry "Ride and Drive" at the CMA offices last week. Participants had the opportunity to test drive their choice of several vehicles. Chevy donated $25 for each test drive to The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee for flood relief. Pictured (left to right): Phil Caruso, Chevrolet National Sales Promotion Manager; Steve Moore, CMA Chairman of the Board; and CMA Board member Randy Goodman.

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More updates from CMA Music Festival:

Kid Rock will perform during the Nightly Concerts at LP Field on Friday, June 11.

On Wednesday, “The Sixth Annual CMA Music Festival Kick-Off Parade” starts at 11:30 AM. Immediately following the parade, “The Fifth Annual CMA Block Party” will take place on the Chevy Music Stage on the Bridgestone Arena Plaza (at the corner of Fifth Avenue and Broadway).

CMA Music Festival and the Nashville Convention & Visitors Bureau have partnered to present the Music City Zone. Located at the Public Square Park at the top of Second Avenue, the Music City Zone will have free daytime performances showcasing an eclectic array of musical styles on the GAC Stage. Open Friday, June 11 from Noon-5:30 PM/CT; Saturday, June 12 from 10:00 AM-6:00 PM; and Sunday, June 13 from Noon-5:30 PM.

Society of Leaders in Development (SOLID) will donate a portion its Yard Sale proceeds to the MusiCares Nashville Flood Relief Fund. SOLID’s 8th Annual Yard Sale will take place Saturday, June 12 at the Bridgestone Arena.

The Grand Ole Opry has plenty to offer fans this week, including tonight’s Tuesday night Opry at 7 p.m. with a performance at Municipal Auditorium in downtown Nashville. Among those scheduled are The Band Perry, Jimmy Dickens, Josh Turner, Carrie Underwood, and Trisha Yearwood.

The Country Music Hall of Fame And Museum has tons of autograph signings and more to bring in festival-goers.

Photos: Dolly Donates To Flood Relief, More

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Great artist photos…Dolly Parton makes a special donation, John Rich four-wheels at Fontanel, Fast Ryde gets a NASCAR ride, and Josh Thompson surprises concertgoers.

On June 2, Mayor Karl Dean joined country music legend Dolly Parton when she presented a $250,000 donation from her foundation to the United Way of Metropolitan Nashville’s “Restore the Dream” fund to benefit Nashville citizens impacted by the recent flood.

When Gretchen Wilson’s debut single, “Redneck Woman,” spent six weeks at the top of the charts, John Rich gave her a camouflaged four-wheel ATV to celebrate. She recently donated the ATV to the Fontanel Mansion and Farm for display. Rich and Wilson will sign autographs at the property this week. Rich will be greeting fans on Friday, June 11, 2010 from 1:00 - 4:00 p.m., and Gretchen will be signing autographs on Saturday, June 12 from noon - 1:00 p.m. Photo: Cole Johnstone

During the Brad Paisley H20 World Tour kick off date, Columbia Nashville's Josh Thompson went on the lawn of the Virginia Beach Ampitheater to surprise these two lucky people with ticket upgrades...taking them from "Way Out Here " to way up front. Josh's current single, "Way Out Here," is Top 30 and climbing the country charts.

Republic Nashville’s Fast Ryde – James Harrison and Jody Stevens – got to experience a whole other type of “fast ride” when they participated in activities at NASCAR’s Nationwide-Federated Auto Parts 300 at the Nashville Superspeedway recently. The duo signed autographs, sang the national anthem and performed a post-race concert.(L-R): Jody Stevens, driver Kenny Wallace, James Harrison and driver Scott Lagasse Jr

Artists Use Music Fest To Spread Message

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Many artists and songwriters are using upcoming CMA Music Festival appearances to benefit their charitable initiatives. Here’s some of the latest:

••••••Musicians On Call, which brings music to the bedsides of hospital patients, will be the beneficiary of two big events this week. Today’s (6/8) 4th Annual Country Weekly Fashion Show and Concert begins at 11:30 a.m. at the Wildhorse Saloon. Luke Bryan will perform, and Joe Nichols will be interviewed. Among the fashion models and/or performers are Bucky Covington, Love and Theft, Bo Bice, Pam Tillis, Trailer Choir, Whitney Duncan, Julie Reeves and others. Clay Walker is hosting the event alongside emcee Suzanne Alexander (GAC).

••••••The Songwriters Series at the Hard Rock Cafe Nashville’s Reverb Room also benefits Musicians On Call. The three night event starts off with a tribute to Kenny Chesney on June 10 with Mac McAnally, Craig Wiseman, and Brett James, airing live on Chesney’s No Shoes Radio. The June 11 evening will feature Chris Tomkins, Dave Berg, and Marc Beeson. Then Dallas Davidson, Tom Douglas, and Wynn Varble will close the series on Sat., June 12. Expect surprise guests. Shows take place at 8:00 PM, with tickets starting at $10 at www.TicketAlternative.com.  Visit www.hardrock.com for additional information.

•••••Chely Wright’s Reading, Writing & Rhythm Benefit Concert has lined up Trisha Yearwood, Rodney Crowell, SHeDAISY, Jamey Johnson, Bucky Covington, Justin Moore, and others to support music education in public schools. Show is today, Tuesday, June 8 at 8:00 PM at TPAC.

••••• Sarah Buxton, Jedd Hughes, Buddy Jewell, Jimmy Fortune of the Statler Brothers, Jim Femino, Tailgate South, Devin Belle, Mike Willis, and Danny Mitchell, will play a benefit for songwriter Tony Lopacinski tonight (6/8) at Dan McGuiness pub from 6 to 10pm.

••••••In its third year as an official CMA Music Festival event, Marty Stuart’s Late Night Jam takes place Wednesday (10:00 PM) at the Ryman Auditorium. Benefiting the MusiCares Nashville Flood Relief Fund, this event will feature Keith Urban, Cowboy Jack Clement, Dallas Frazier, Ronnie Milsap, Ralph Mooney, Connie Smith, Marty Stuart and the Fabulous Superlatives, The Tennessee Mafia Jug Band, and more. www.ticketmaster.com

•••••Online social network and country music lifestyle destination Digital Rodeo is sponsoring the second annual Andy Griggs Celebrity Poker Tournament, to be held Thursday, June 10, at Cadillac Ranch. Winnings will benefit St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and Middle Tennessee flood victims.

••••Blake Shelton will host the National Rifle Association’s inaugural sporting clay shoot, with proceeds benefiting flood relief efforts through The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee. June 10, 2010 at the Tennessee Clay Target Complex from 8:00 am – 1:30 pm.

••••The Teddy Gentry & Friends Benefit for Flood Relief is Thursday, June 10, 7-10pm at 2nd Avenue Live. No cover, all ages.

•••••On Wed., June 9 the Ty Herndon & Friends benefit concert will raise money for the Middle Tennessee chapter of the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Michael Peterson, Julie Roberts, Anita Cochran, Diana DeGarmo, Amber Hayes, Herndon and more will perform. Nashville Palace, 7 p.m.

••••• Bo Bice will take the stage of the Tin Roof on Wednesday, June 9 to help raise funds and awareness for Not Alone, a non-profit organization which assists military families. Joining Bice will be Thom Shepherd, Wynn Varble, Rob Crosby, and more. The show starts at 8 PM. Tickets are $10.

••••••••Patty Loveless will be spreading awareness of COPD, the lung disease that took the life of her older sister Dottie, during CMA Music Fest. Throughout the Festival, there will be free screenings offered at the DRIVE4COPD booths at the Sports Zone and Fan Fair Hall.

Tootsies Turns 50

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Tootsies Orchid Lounge will mark its 50th anniversary with a concert at the Ryman Auditorium starring Kris Kristofferson. With more artists announcements coming, the line-up for the November 7 show will highlight the Nashville institution’s rich history.

The concert will be part of a network television special and documentary to be produced by Nashville-based Travis Television.

From 1960 when she took over Mom’s bar and named Tootsies, until her death in 1978, Hattie Louise “Tootsie” Bess helped nurture many struggling singers and songwriters. Thanks to its location by the Ryman, her beloved bar was frequented by Grand Ole Opry stars. Legend has it that Kristofferson and Willie Nelson may have lived in the watering hole’s upstairs before their careers took off.

Today Steve Smith is Tootsies’ proprietor, he will host the official VIP after-party at Tootsies following the anniversary show at the Ryman.

Details on $150 VIP packages, and $40 show tickets can be found at www.tootsies.net.

V-Albums Offer Swift Giveaway

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ScatterTunes™ new V-album technology gains added traction in country markets with the June 8 release of product from Big Machine and Valory Music artists Taylor Swift, Reba, Jewel and Justin Moore. Other albums listed on the ScatterTunes website as available in the new V-Album format include artists Lee Ann Womack, Trace Adkins, Darius Rucker and Dierks Bentley. As part of a special introductory offer, ScatterTunes plans to give away 100,000 copies of the Taylor Swift Fearless V-Wrap which contains the added features but not the music.

The new format relies upon proprietary software which must first be downloaded and installed before one can purchase and/or enjoy the V-Album features. In addition to MP3 tracks, consumers can find lyrics, photos, videos and links to artist merchandise plus concert tickets. In order to move purchased MP3 files via this new format onto an iPod, iPhone or other MP3 player it is necessary to import the tracks into iTunes. It is possible to set a preference so that newly purchased songs always get imported, but either way it seems to create a double entry organization strategy that seems to make the process more complicated, not less.

ScatterTunes describes itself as a “unique digital kiosk…a rich media tool to purchase and manage your MP3 music. The main attractions are the immersible and interactive V-Albums that can only be purchased from ScatterTunes.” The company says its iBoard software, “will quickly become your favorite tool for purchasing and managing MP3 music.”

Well, maybe this will become a favorite tool for some, but considering how difficult country fans find it just to download a track from iTunes or Amazon, this multi-program digital software installation may pose a challenge many aren’t quite ready to overcome. In many ways ScatterTunes seems to be like an iPhone App, except that it lacks portability—you have to be at your computer to use it. That is a serious drawback to adoption. And isn’t the single biggest challenge to make purchasing easier so consumers can enjoy the music however, wherever and whenever they want?

Pricing for the V-Album features for the Lee Ann Womack, Darius Rucker and Dierks Bentley albums was $12.99—$3 more than the same albums at iTunes.

Click on the V-Albums promo video below and make up your own mind. Better yet go download the proprietary software…

Photos: LBT Wedding, Lonestar On Price Is Right

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Little Big Town hosted two weddings last weekend in their “Little White Church” tent on the Country Throwdown tour. Inspired by the group’s current single, the tent offers couples the chance to get married or renew their vows through their local country radio stations. The band not only attended the ceremonies but also signed the marriage licenses as official witnesses.

The first wedding was held Friday in Cincinnati, OH for Anne Zimmerman & Josh York. (L-R): Little Big Town’s Phillip Sweet, Kimberly Schlapman, Anne & Josh York, WUBE's Statt, and Little Big Town’s Karen Fairchild & Jimi Westbrook.

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CBS’s The Price Is Right and host Drew Carey welcomed Lonestar recently for a show set to air Thursday, June 16. Lonestar will play throughout the show as the house band and contestants will compete for Lonestar experiences and merchandise.

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Artists/songwriters Elvis Costello and Hank Cochran caught up during the filming of the Cochran biography, Livin’ For A Song. Costello recorded Cochran’s “He’s Got You” for his Almost Blue album in 1981. Livin’ For A Song was helmed by Wesley Pryor, and previews are available here.

(L-R): Costello and Cochran, Photo: Kaye Pryor

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19/RCA Nashville’s Danny Gokey recently stepped into the kitchen with the always wonderful Hazel Smith for a visit and some good country cookin’ on her CMT series, Southern Fried Flicks with Hazel Smith.

Pictured (L-R): Smith, Gokey


Rubin First Nancy Saturn Award Recipient

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Ronna Rubin

Ronna Rubin, owner of Rubin Media will become the first recipient of the Nancy Saturn Award of Inspiration. The honor is set to be presented June 24 during the American Artisan Dinner Party & Art Auction at Nashville’s Noah Liff Opera Center.

Nancy Saturn’s involvement with Gilda’s Club Nashville and other cancer-related organizations helped her to make a difference in many people’s lives. The Award bearing her name was created to perpetuate her memory by honoring an individual who, like her, has used their time, energy and talents to further the organization’s mission.

Gilda’s was formed in 1998 to offer free lectures, workshops, classes, support groups and social activities in a non-residential, homelike setting. It provides a gathering place where people living with cancer and their families and friends can join with others to actively involve themselves in building social and emotional support as a supplement to regular medical care.

Ronna Rubin served on the Gilda’s Club Nashville Board of Directors for eight years and gave of her time and talent on countless projects. She also worked side by side with Nancy Saturn on many of those efforts.

HonkyTonk TV Spots, Webchat With Urban, See Flatts On Today

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Honky Tonk TV is scheduling artist interview slots for June 7-13. Through a partnership with Microsoft, artists are also invited to come by the Microsoft booth at Fan Fair Hall to mingle with fans, play XBOX, explore gadgets like Zune, and tour Windows 7, Internet Explorer 8, Office 2010, Silverlight, Bing, Windows Phone and the Surface. Artist reps should contact Honky Tonk TV at 615-206-3463 or watchus@HonkyTonkTV.com for details.

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Rascal Flatts will head to New York City to perform on NBC’s Today show “Summer Concert Series” on Friday, June 11. This appearance is the day prior to their visit to the CMA Music Festival where the band will sign autographs for fans at the Greased Lightning® Fan Fair® Hall in the CMT booth and will also perform at LP Field later that evening on Saturday, June 12. Rascal Flatts will launch a new tour in two weeks, the “Nothing Like This Tour,” on June 25 in Raleigh, North Caroline with opening acts Chris Young and Kellie Pickler.

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Keith Urban will web chat tonight (Monday, June 7th at 5:00pm CST/6:00pm EST) with fans about his current tour Summer Lovin’ 2010, appearing at CMA Fest, his performance with John Mayer at the CMT Awards, and his new single “I’m In.” Fans can submit questions in advance at www.keithurban.net/live or via Facebook or Twitter. The chat will be streamed live at www.keithurban.net/live.