It’s always heartwarming to witness a dream come true. Especially when the dreamer is the legendary Willie Nelson. Nelson’s alternative fuel truck stop, Willie’s World in Carl’s Corner, Texas, has finally grown from vision to reality. Nelson will celebrate the occasion during the fifth annual Willie World Grand Opening event, Feb. 24-25. Also performing will be Ray Benson and Asleep At The Wheel.
Willie’s World features bio-Willie fuels that are refined on site giving truckers the opportunity to benefit farmers and help the environment. There are also two restaurants—smoking and non-smoking—which contain amenities such as a poker room, large screen TVs and more. SIRIUS/XM radio broadcasts its “Willie’s Place” channel live 24/7 from the enclave. http://www.biowillieusa.com/
https://musicrow.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/MusicRow-header-logo-Mar19B.png00bossrosshttps://musicrow.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/MusicRow-header-logo-Mar19B.pngbossross2009-02-06 14:58:352009-02-06 14:58:35Truckers Rolling To Willie’s World
It’s awfully hard to argue with the power of the Nashville Symphony Orchestra and the voices of the Fisk Jubilee Singers. Especially when they’re backing Billy Dean on a patriotic anthem. Maybe there’s inspiration and hope in the air or something. Whatever the cause, I fell for “Wave On, Old Glory.” It’s the Disc of the Day.
Wouldn’t you have loved to have been a fly on the wall when Mel Tillis Jr., Tammy Rogers of The SteelDrivers and Dierks Bentley sat down to write together? Especially when they came up with something as cool as “Behind These Walls.” It earns Kentucky native Clay Underwood a DisCovery Award.
Clay Underwood
DEREK SHOLL/But It Was Writer: Joe Doyle/Tim Johnson; Producer: Tim Johnson; Publisher: Big Hits of Amylase/Songs of Spud/Warner Tamerlane/Warner Chappell/$1 Songs America/The Bigger They Are, SESAC; CO5 Nashville (615-469-1756)
—Pleasant and engaging, thanks largely to the well-crafted lyric. His voice is somewhat colorless.
RASCAL FLATTS/Here Comes Goodbye Writer: Clint Lagerberg/Chris Sligh; Producer: Dann Huff & Rascal Flatts; Publisher: Big Loud Songs/Big Songs of Extreme/Big Loud Bucks/Bridge Building, ASCAP/BMI; Lyric Street
—Dramatic and highly melodic. Gary’s ultra-high tenor vocal performance is stunning.
RIVER COUNTY/We’re All Here Writer: Curt Ryle/Jon Stone; Producer: Terry Wendt; Publisher: none listed; SYC (www.rivercountymusic.com)
—Raucous and redneck, this good time sounds like it was recorded “live.” In any case, there’s not a heckuva lot of separation—everything’s bleeding into everything else.
JOHN RICH/Shuttin’ Detroit Down Writer: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Warner Bros. (www.johnrich.com)
—John decries wealthy executives being bailed out by Washington while the “little man” continues to suffer. “While they’re living it up on Wall Street…in the real world they’re shuttin’ Detroit down.” It’s got a good beat, and you can dance to it.
CLAY UNDERWOOD/Behind These Walls Writer: Dierks Bentley/Tammy Rogers/Lonnie Melvin Tillis Jr.; Producer: Jimmy & Jennifer Layne & Clay Underwood; Publisher: Songs of Universal/Tunes of the Village, BMI; PCL (CDX) (www.clayunderwoodmusic.com)
—On a beautiful day, he’s shut himself in, aching and miserable. Loneliness has seldom sounded better. The production churns and burns around a passionate vocal performance of a powerful melody. Get a load of those songwriter credits.
BILLY DEAN, THE NASHVILLE SYMPHONY & THE FISK JUBILEE SINGERS/Wave On, Old Glory, Wave On Writer: Wood Newton/Jim Weatherly; Producer: Larry Beaird, Brian White; Publisher: Rope a Note/Bright Leaf, BMI/ASCAP; Hutton (CDX)
—Billy starts with simple piano accompaniment. As the sturdy song proceeds, strings begin to shimmer and soar. The finale has the whole shebang, brass, woodwinds, percussion and glorious chorus voices. Stirring, patriotic and completely thrilling. An anthem for a new era.
ALEX WOODARD & SARA WATKINS/Reno Writer: Alex Woodard; Producer: Alex Woodard; Publisher: Woodshack, ASCAP; Woodshack (CDX) (www.alexwoodard.com)
—Watkins is the talented fiddler-singer of Nickel Creek fame. Woodard sings with a nasal rasp, so I was skeptical about whether their voices would blend well. Surprisingly, they do. And the song’s kinda cool, too.
RANDY HOUSER/Boots On Writer: Randy Houser/Brandon Kinney; Producer: Mark Wright & Cliff Audretch III; Publisher: Songs of Windswept Pacific/How Bout That Skyline/Kinney Empire/ICG, BMI; Universal South (track)
—The “Anything Goes” man is back, this time with a slab of rockin’ country. I can almost hear them stompin’ on that dance floor now.
BLAKE SHELTON/I’ll Just Hold On Writer: Ben Hayslip/Troy Olsen/Bryan Simpson; Producer: Scott Hendricks; Publisher: WB/Melissa’s Money/Get a Load of This/Encore Entertainment/Mr. Noise/Hillbilly Poetry/Rio Nuevo, ASCAP/BMI; Warner Bros. (track)
—He’s head over heels infatuated in this swirly, mid-tempo, groove-saturated production. As usual, Blake totally nails the vocal.
TONY “HOBO” PARKS/Take It All Writer: Edward D. Sanford; Producer: Steve Iceberg; Publisher: Tony Hobo Parks, BMI; Plantation (CDX)
—The echo chamber only amplifies his pitch problems.
https://musicrow.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/MusicRow-header-logo-Mar19B.png00Robert K Oermannhttps://musicrow.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/MusicRow-header-logo-Mar19B.pngRobert K Oermann2009-02-06 13:35:262009-02-06 13:35:26Disclaimer—Today, I’m waving the flag.
Trailer Choir’s second single “What Would You Say,” co-written by the group’s Butter and Big Vinny with David Fortney, was inspired by the Jan. 2006 Sago, West Virginia mining tragedy. Thirteen men were trapped after the accident and, as the nation watched the drama unfold, all but one of the men perished. In the days following, it was revealed that some of the men had been able to write and leave short notes for their loved ones.
“My father and I talked about the mining accident and both of us were taken aback by the loss and devastation it must have had on the families and friends of the miners and the Sago community,” says Butter. “He asked me what would I say if I were in that situation and I knew my chances of making it out alive were fading? What would I write on that note at that moment in time? He said, ‘I think that would be a question to ask in a song. What would you say?’
“I was inspired to try and write a song that showed how these hard working men who were just trying to support their families died with a heroic impact,” he continues. “They are examples of how we all should live our lives—to have the courage and love to write a note on a piece of paper in such a desperate moment.”
The trio of Butter, Big Vinny and Crystal signed to Show Dog in 2007 and joined Toby Keith’s Big Dog Daddy tour. Their debut single “Off The Hillbilly Hook” was used in Toby’s feature film Beer For My Horses and their self-titled EP is available in all digital outlets.
Keith Urban has been added to the GRAMMY performance schedule as part of a Bo Diddley tribute featuring fellow current nominees Buddy Guy, B.B. King, and John Mayer. At the Feb. 8 Awards show, Urban is up for Best Country Collaboration With Vocals (“Let The Wind Chase You” with Trisha Yearwood).
Joining the presenter list is LeAnn Rimes who is nominated for Best Female Country Vocal Performance (“What I Cannot Change”). Other performers announced today (2/5) are Terence Blanchard, Neil Diamond, M.I.A., Robin Thicke, Allen Toussaint, and Stevie Wonder.
https://musicrow.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/MusicRow-header-logo-Mar19B.png00Sarah Skateshttps://musicrow.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/MusicRow-header-logo-Mar19B.pngSarah Skates2009-02-05 15:14:432009-02-05 15:14:43Urban And Rimes Get GRAMMY Face Time
The GMA Foundation inducted artists Michael W. Smith, Dolly Parton, Dr. Bobby Jones and The Dixie Hummingbirds along with music producer Lari Goss into the GMA Gospel Music Hall of Fame on Feb. 2 at a ceremony at Richland Country Club.
Established in 1971, the GMA Gospel Music Hall of Fame has inducted more than 150 members including Elvis Presley, Amy Grant, the Blind Boys of Alabama, Sandi Patty, The Oak Ridge Boys, Bill and Gloria Gaither, Billy Graham and the Jordanaires.
(L-R): Steve Brallier, Exec. Dir of GMA Foundation; Inductee Lari Goss; Inductee Lyndon Baines Jones (Dixie Hummingbirds); Inductee Michael W. Smith; Inductee Dr. Bobby Jones; Inductee Dolly Parton; Ed Harper, chairman of the GMA Foundation Board; John W. Styll, Pres./CEO of GMA; Inductees Dixie Hummingbirds Sundray Tucker (daughter of late Ira Tucker), Carlton Lewis, William Bright and Torrey Nettles. Photo: Aaron Crisler
https://musicrow.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/MusicRow-header-logo-Mar19B.png00Sarah Skateshttps://musicrow.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/MusicRow-header-logo-Mar19B.pngSarah Skates2009-02-05 15:09:442009-02-05 15:09:44Gospel Hall Holds 2009 Inductions
Sony Music Nashville Vice President, Marketing Tom Baldrica will take on oversight of the label group’s Creative Services department alongside his current responsibilities spearheading Media and Artist Development.
A 16-year label veteran, Baldrica first arrived at BNA in 1993 as Southeast regional. Working his way through the ranks, he was named to then-new role of Vice President, Marketing in September 2006, handling all of the label group’s imprints including Arista Nashville, BNA Records, Columbia Nashville, and RCA Nashville.
When announcing Baldrica’s new duties Exec. VP Butch Waugh remarked, “Tom has been working closely with our Creative department over the past year to ensure a consistent image and marketing message. Tom’s keen eye coupled with his knowledge of the marketplace makes this a natural move to place our artists in their best position to enjoy success.”
https://musicrow.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/MusicRow-header-logo-Mar19B.png00Sarah Skateshttps://musicrow.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/MusicRow-header-logo-Mar19B.pngSarah Skates2009-02-05 15:09:022009-02-05 15:09:02Baldrica Adds Duties To VP Post
Almost escaping notice, January 2009 has trailed off into obscurity, but the short story regarding country sales continues to be, “more of the same.” Top 75 Current Country sales fell short of the 300k mark again this week reaching about 295,000 units. Year-to-date country sales are now down 20.5%. One bright spot is country digital album sales which are up 36.1%, but not enough to make up for the lost revenue from physical sales. Pat Green launched a new CD this week which scanned 18,195 units, enough to take the No. 2 spot behind Taylor Swift’s 55,102 units. Green also kicked off his headline Jaegermeister Country tour in Atlanta last week, which will visit 25 major markets in the next three months.
It may be too early to express certainty, but it appears that country digital album downloads are increasing as a percentage of total country album sales. Last year country digital albums averaged about 7.4% of total country album sales, for ’09 the number has jumped to 12.7%.
On the pop side, Bruce Springsteen leveraged his Super Bowl performance to debut at No. 1 with 223,741 scans, edging Swift out of the top spot which she owned for eight consecutive weeks. Overall album sales are down 12% YTD.
On the horizon we have debuts coming this week from Dierks Bentley and Aaron Tippin.
https://musicrow.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/MusicRow-header-logo-Mar19B.png00bossrosshttps://musicrow.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/MusicRow-header-logo-Mar19B.pngbossross2009-02-05 15:07:512009-02-05 15:07:51January 09 Sales Story
The Performance Rights Act, which would create a sound recording performance right for terrestrial radio, was reintroduced to Congress today (2/4). The bill would require radio stations, which already pay royalties to songwriters for broadcasting their music, to also pay the artists and musicians performing the songs, as well owners of the master recordings.
Under the proposed legislation, the parties involved would negotiate rates amongst themselves, or those rates could be set by the Copyright Royalty Board and paid to SoundExchange. The bill also makes accommodations for small broadcasters, public and religious radio stations.
AM and FM radio is the only music platform that does not pay a fair performance right to artists and musicians for the use of their work. Satellite, cable and internet radio compensate artists when they play their music. The Performance Rights Act would bring the United States in line with almost every other nation in the world.
Among those supporting the legislation were Tennesseans Bob Corker (R-TN) in the Senate, and Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) in the House of Representatives.
https://musicrow.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/MusicRow-header-logo-Mar19B.png00Sarah Skateshttps://musicrow.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/MusicRow-header-logo-Mar19B.pngSarah Skates2009-02-04 15:59:072009-02-04 15:59:07Performance Rights Act Back in Congress
The ACM’s three newcomer awards—Top New Female Vocalist, Top New Male Vocalist and Top New Vocal Duo or Group—will be opened up to fan voting for the first time this year. Exclusively at GACTV.com, voting for the categories will run Fri., Feb. 13 through Thurs., March 5. After those winners are announced on March 9, they will move on to compete in the new Awards category, Top New Artist. Fan voting for that category will then run March 16-April 5, with the winner being announced live during the 44th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards on April 5.
Through a new partnership with the ACM, GAC will air several television specials surrounding the fan-voted awards, including a show featuring nominees and a special on the winner. The first GAC program featuring the nine nominees premieres Feb. 20 and will be hosted by reigning Top New Male Vocalist Jack Ingram. On March 19, GAC will debut a show hosted by Sara Evans, wherein the winner in each category will perform and receive the awards for Top New Female Vocalist, Top New Male Vocalist, and Top New Vocal Duo or Group.
As previously reported, most nominees for the Academy of Country Music Awards will be announced Wed., Feb. 11 in Nashville.
https://musicrow.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/MusicRow-header-logo-Mar19B.png00Sarah Skateshttps://musicrow.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/MusicRow-header-logo-Mar19B.pngSarah Skates2009-02-04 15:59:022009-02-04 15:59:02ACM Adds More Fan-Voted Awards
Country Music Hall of Fame member Vince Gill opened his run as the Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum’s 2009 Artist-in-Residence last night (2/3). Treating the intimate Ford Theater audience to an acoustic set, Gill accepted requests and ran through numerous hits such as “Go Rest High On That Mountain,” “Liza Jane,” and “When I Call Your Name,” as well as newer songs like his Leslie Satcher co-write “Bread And Water,” and “Buttermilk John,” penned for the late session musician John Hughey.
Gill was joined onstage by bandmates Mike Bub, Billy Thomas and Pete Wasner, as well as guests Danny Flowers performing “Tulsa Time,” and The Statler Brothers’ Jimmy Fortune singing “Elizabeth.” The sold out residency continues on February 17 and 24.
Pictured L-R: Bub, Thomas, Wasner, VP of Museum Programs Jay Orr, Gill and Museum Director Kyle Young. Photo: Donn Jones
https://musicrow.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/MusicRow-header-logo-Mar19B.png00Sarah Skateshttps://musicrow.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/MusicRow-header-logo-Mar19B.pngSarah Skates2009-02-04 15:58:562009-02-04 15:58:56Vince Gill Kicks off Hall of Fame Residency
Truckers Rolling To Willie’s World
/by bossrossWillie’s World features bio-Willie fuels that are refined on site giving truckers the opportunity to benefit farmers and help the environment. There are also two restaurants—smoking and non-smoking—which contain amenities such as a poker room, large screen TVs and more. SIRIUS/XM radio broadcasts its “Willie’s Place” channel live 24/7 from the enclave. http://www.biowillieusa.com/
Disclaimer—Today, I’m waving the flag.
/by Robert K OermannBilly Dean
It’s awfully hard to argue with the power of the Nashville Symphony Orchestra and the voices of the Fisk Jubilee Singers. Especially when they’re backing Billy Dean on a patriotic anthem. Maybe there’s inspiration and hope in the air or something. Whatever the cause, I fell for “Wave On, Old Glory.” It’s the Disc of the Day.
Wouldn’t you have loved to have been a fly on the wall when Mel Tillis Jr., Tammy Rogers of The SteelDrivers and Dierks Bentley sat down to write together? Especially when they came up with something as cool as “Behind These Walls.” It earns Kentucky native Clay Underwood a DisCovery Award.
Clay Underwood
DEREK SHOLL/But It Was
Writer: Joe Doyle/Tim Johnson; Producer: Tim Johnson; Publisher: Big Hits of Amylase/Songs of Spud/Warner Tamerlane/Warner Chappell/$1 Songs America/The Bigger They Are, SESAC; CO5 Nashville (615-469-1756)
—Pleasant and engaging, thanks largely to the well-crafted lyric. His voice is somewhat colorless.
RASCAL FLATTS/Here Comes Goodbye
Writer: Clint Lagerberg/Chris Sligh; Producer: Dann Huff & Rascal Flatts; Publisher: Big Loud Songs/Big Songs of Extreme/Big Loud Bucks/Bridge Building, ASCAP/BMI; Lyric Street
—Dramatic and highly melodic. Gary’s ultra-high tenor vocal performance is stunning.
RIVER COUNTY/We’re All Here
Writer: Curt Ryle/Jon Stone; Producer: Terry Wendt; Publisher: none listed; SYC (www.rivercountymusic.com)
—Raucous and redneck, this good time sounds like it was recorded “live.” In any case, there’s not a heckuva lot of separation—everything’s bleeding into everything else.
JOHN RICH/Shuttin’ Detroit Down
Writer: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Warner Bros. (www.johnrich.com)
—John decries wealthy executives being bailed out by Washington while the “little man” continues to suffer. “While they’re living it up on Wall Street…in the real world they’re shuttin’ Detroit down.” It’s got a good beat, and you can dance to it.
CLAY UNDERWOOD/Behind These Walls
Writer: Dierks Bentley/Tammy Rogers/Lonnie Melvin Tillis Jr.; Producer: Jimmy & Jennifer Layne & Clay Underwood; Publisher: Songs of Universal/Tunes of the Village, BMI; PCL (CDX) (www.clayunderwoodmusic.com)
—On a beautiful day, he’s shut himself in, aching and miserable. Loneliness has seldom sounded better. The production churns and burns around a passionate vocal performance of a powerful melody. Get a load of those songwriter credits.
BILLY DEAN, THE NASHVILLE SYMPHONY & THE FISK JUBILEE SINGERS/Wave On, Old Glory, Wave On
Writer: Wood Newton/Jim Weatherly; Producer: Larry Beaird, Brian White; Publisher: Rope a Note/Bright Leaf, BMI/ASCAP; Hutton (CDX)
—Billy starts with simple piano accompaniment. As the sturdy song proceeds, strings begin to shimmer and soar. The finale has the whole shebang, brass, woodwinds, percussion and glorious chorus voices. Stirring, patriotic and completely thrilling. An anthem for a new era.
ALEX WOODARD & SARA WATKINS/Reno
Writer: Alex Woodard; Producer: Alex Woodard; Publisher: Woodshack, ASCAP; Woodshack (CDX) (www.alexwoodard.com)
—Watkins is the talented fiddler-singer of Nickel Creek fame. Woodard sings with a nasal rasp, so I was skeptical about whether their voices would blend well. Surprisingly, they do. And the song’s kinda cool, too.
RANDY HOUSER/Boots On
Writer: Randy Houser/Brandon Kinney; Producer: Mark Wright & Cliff Audretch III; Publisher: Songs of Windswept Pacific/How Bout That Skyline/Kinney Empire/ICG, BMI; Universal South (track)
—The “Anything Goes” man is back, this time with a slab of rockin’ country. I can almost hear them stompin’ on that dance floor now.
BLAKE SHELTON/I’ll Just Hold On
Writer: Ben Hayslip/Troy Olsen/Bryan Simpson; Producer: Scott Hendricks; Publisher: WB/Melissa’s Money/Get a Load of This/Encore Entertainment/Mr. Noise/Hillbilly Poetry/Rio Nuevo, ASCAP/BMI; Warner Bros. (track)
—He’s head over heels infatuated in this swirly, mid-tempo, groove-saturated production. As usual, Blake totally nails the vocal.
TONY “HOBO” PARKS/Take It All
Writer: Edward D. Sanford; Producer: Steve Iceberg; Publisher: Tony Hobo Parks, BMI; Plantation (CDX)
—The echo chamber only amplifies his pitch problems.
Trailer Choir
/by ProgrammerPlaylist“What Would You Say”
Show Dog Nashville
“My father and I talked about the mining accident and both of us were taken aback by the loss and devastation it must have had on the families and friends of the miners and the Sago community,” says Butter. “He asked me what would I say if I were in that situation and I knew my chances of making it out alive were fading? What would I write on that note at that moment in time? He said, ‘I think that would be a question to ask in a song. What would you say?’
“I was inspired to try and write a song that showed how these hard working men who were just trying to support their families died with a heroic impact,” he continues. “They are examples of how we all should live our lives—to have the courage and love to write a note on a piece of paper in such a desperate moment.”
The trio of Butter, Big Vinny and Crystal signed to Show Dog in 2007 and joined Toby Keith’s Big Dog Daddy tour. Their debut single “Off The Hillbilly Hook” was used in Toby’s feature film Beer For My Horses and their self-titled EP is available in all digital outlets.
www.trailerchoir.com
Urban And Rimes Get GRAMMY Face Time
/by Sarah SkatesKeith Urban has been added to the GRAMMY performance schedule as part of a Bo Diddley tribute featuring fellow current nominees Buddy Guy, B.B. King, and John Mayer. At the Feb. 8 Awards show, Urban is up for Best Country Collaboration With Vocals (“Let The Wind Chase You” with Trisha Yearwood).
Joining the presenter list is LeAnn Rimes who is nominated for Best Female Country Vocal Performance (“What I Cannot Change”). Other performers announced today (2/5) are Terence Blanchard, Neil Diamond, M.I.A., Robin Thicke, Allen Toussaint, and Stevie Wonder.
Gospel Hall Holds 2009 Inductions
/by Sarah SkatesThe GMA Foundation inducted artists Michael W. Smith, Dolly Parton, Dr. Bobby Jones and The Dixie Hummingbirds along with music producer Lari Goss into the GMA Gospel Music Hall of Fame on Feb. 2 at a ceremony at Richland Country Club.
Established in 1971, the GMA Gospel Music Hall of Fame has inducted more than 150 members including Elvis Presley, Amy Grant, the Blind Boys of Alabama, Sandi Patty, The Oak Ridge Boys, Bill and Gloria Gaither, Billy Graham and the Jordanaires.
(L-R): Steve Brallier, Exec. Dir of GMA Foundation; Inductee Lari Goss; Inductee Lyndon Baines Jones (Dixie Hummingbirds); Inductee Michael W. Smith; Inductee Dr. Bobby Jones; Inductee Dolly Parton; Ed Harper, chairman of the GMA Foundation Board; John W. Styll, Pres./CEO of GMA; Inductees Dixie Hummingbirds Sundray Tucker (daughter of late Ira Tucker), Carlton Lewis, William Bright and Torrey Nettles. Photo: Aaron Crisler
Baldrica Adds Duties To VP Post
/by Sarah SkatesA 16-year label veteran, Baldrica first arrived at BNA in 1993 as Southeast regional. Working his way through the ranks, he was named to then-new role of Vice President, Marketing in September 2006, handling all of the label group’s imprints including Arista Nashville, BNA Records, Columbia Nashville, and RCA Nashville.
When announcing Baldrica’s new duties Exec. VP Butch Waugh remarked, “Tom has been working closely with our Creative department over the past year to ensure a consistent image and marketing message. Tom’s keen eye coupled with his knowledge of the marketplace makes this a natural move to place our artists in their best position to enjoy success.”
January 09 Sales Story
/by bossrossAlmost escaping notice, January 2009 has trailed off into obscurity, but the short story regarding country sales continues to be, “more of the same.” Top 75 Current Country sales fell short of the 300k mark again this week reaching about 295,000 units. Year-to-date country sales are now down 20.5%. One bright spot is country digital album sales which are up 36.1%, but not enough to make up for the lost revenue from physical sales. Pat Green launched a new CD this week which scanned 18,195 units, enough to take the No. 2 spot behind Taylor Swift’s 55,102 units. Green also kicked off his headline Jaegermeister Country tour in Atlanta last week, which will visit 25 major markets in the next three months.
It may be too early to express certainty, but it appears that country digital album downloads are increasing as a percentage of total country album sales. Last year country digital albums averaged about 7.4% of total country album sales, for ’09 the number has jumped to 12.7%.
On the pop side, Bruce Springsteen leveraged his Super Bowl performance to debut at No. 1 with 223,741 scans, edging Swift out of the top spot which she owned for eight consecutive weeks. Overall album sales are down 12% YTD.
On the horizon we have debuts coming this week from Dierks Bentley and Aaron Tippin.
Performance Rights Act Back in Congress
/by Sarah SkatesThe Performance Rights Act, which would create a sound recording performance right for terrestrial radio, was reintroduced to Congress today (2/4). The bill would require radio stations, which already pay royalties to songwriters for broadcasting their music, to also pay the artists and musicians performing the songs, as well owners of the master recordings.
Under the proposed legislation, the parties involved would negotiate rates amongst themselves, or those rates could be set by the Copyright Royalty Board and paid to SoundExchange. The bill also makes accommodations for small broadcasters, public and religious radio stations.
AM and FM radio is the only music platform that does not pay a fair performance right to artists and musicians for the use of their work. Satellite, cable and internet radio compensate artists when they play their music. The Performance Rights Act would bring the United States in line with almost every other nation in the world.
Among those supporting the legislation were Tennesseans Bob Corker (R-TN) in the Senate, and Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) in the House of Representatives.
ACM Adds More Fan-Voted Awards
/by Sarah SkatesThrough a new partnership with the ACM, GAC will air several television specials surrounding the fan-voted awards, including a show featuring nominees and a special on the winner. The first GAC program featuring the nine nominees premieres Feb. 20 and will be hosted by reigning Top New Male Vocalist Jack Ingram. On March 19, GAC will debut a show hosted by Sara Evans, wherein the winner in each category will perform and receive the awards for Top New Female Vocalist, Top New Male Vocalist, and Top New Vocal Duo or Group.
As previously reported, most nominees for the Academy of Country Music Awards will be announced Wed., Feb. 11 in Nashville.
Vince Gill Kicks off Hall of Fame Residency
/by Sarah SkatesCountry Music Hall of Fame member Vince Gill opened his run as the Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum’s 2009 Artist-in-Residence last night (2/3). Treating the intimate Ford Theater audience to an acoustic set, Gill accepted requests and ran through numerous hits such as “Go Rest High On That Mountain,” “Liza Jane,” and “When I Call Your Name,” as well as newer songs like his Leslie Satcher co-write “Bread And Water,” and “Buttermilk John,” penned for the late session musician John Hughey.
Gill was joined onstage by bandmates Mike Bub, Billy Thomas and Pete Wasner, as well as guests Danny Flowers performing “Tulsa Time,” and The Statler Brothers’ Jimmy Fortune singing “Elizabeth.” The sold out residency continues on February 17 and 24.
Pictured L-R: Bub, Thomas, Wasner, VP of Museum Programs Jay Orr, Gill and Museum Director Kyle Young. Photo: Donn Jones