Holidays Drive Sales For Week Ended 5-9-10

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According to Nielsen SoundScan, the week ended 5-9-2010 saw country sales jump 12% from the previous seven days thanks to the Mother’s Day holiday, a new Zac Brown Band live offering (26k) and the Courtyard Hounds debut (61k). Country debuts usually boast a digital percentage of 20% or less, but ZBB fans downloaded 43% of those 26k sales!

The Hounds, whose members include two thirds of the Dixie Chicks, were not admitted to SoundScan’s country sales list, but iTunes seemed quite comfortable highlighting the project in its country area and giving it strong visibility.

Lady Antebellum continued to pace the pack staying on top of the Current Country Top 75 with 97k units, a jump of 28%. Other Top Ten CDs enjoying a holiday surge were newly engaged Miranda Lambert (No. 4;+27%; 23k), Carrie Underwood (No. 5; +32%; 19k), Taylor Swift (No. 6; +14%; 16k), Lady Antebellum’s debut CD (No. 7; +32%; 12k), and Alan Jackson (No. 9; +22%; 10k).

Digital country tracks showed few surprises with Lady A., Miranda and ZBB getting many of the downloads. Jaron and the Long Road to Love’s “Pray For You,” however climbed from No. 4 to No. 3 getting over 37k downloads for the week. Other’s in the Top Ten include Joe Nichols, Luke Bryan, Uncle Kracker and Jerrod Niemann all of whom downloaded from 20-25k units for the week.

The industry overall was up 11% offering a bouquet of new releases designed to attract holiday shoppers—in fact, half of the Top 20 all genre Current Albums contained new debuts. Country YTD sales remain off from last year 3.9%, however, digital country album sales are up 25.6%. Last year at this time the percentage of country album sales that were digital downloads was 6.5%. This year the number has risen to 7% of the approximately 13.8 million country units sold YTD.

Swift To Receive Hal David Starlight Award

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Hal David, Chairman/CEO of the Songwriters Hall of Fame, has announced that Taylor Swift will be the recipient of the prestigious Hal David Starlight Award, to be presented at the 2010 Songwriters Hall of Fame Awards dinner on Thursday June 17 at the New York Marriott Marquis Hotel.

At the young age of 14, Swift signed a publishing deal with Sony/ATV Music and in 2006 she released her self-titled debut CD on Big Machine Records. At the age of 17, with “Our Song,” she became the youngest person to ever single-handedly write and sing a No. 1 country single entirely on her own. With her debut, she also became the first female solo artist in country music history to write or co-write every song on a platinum-selling debut CD. In addition, Swift wrote or co-wrote every song on her blockbuster Fearless album, released in 2008. Fearless has sold more than 5 million copies, fueled by the multi-genre domestic and international success of chart-topping singles including “Love Story” and “You Belong With Me.”

Swift has sold more than 13 million albums and has numerous awards and accolades to add to her long list of accomplishments, including being the top-selling digital artist in music history, receiving the Artist of the Year Award at the American Music Awards, having the No. 1 best-selling album in any genre of music in both 2009 and 2008, and to be the first female solo country artist to ever win the all-genre Grammy award for Album of the Year. This year alone she took home four Grammy awards. In addition to Album of the Year, she was honored for Country Album of the Year, Best Country Song and Best Country Female Vocal Performance.

“Taylor Swift is one of the brightest musical talents to emerge in recent years, and represents the true epitome of the Starlight Award,” said David. “She possesses an undeniable talent as a songwriter, expressive singer and performer, and we are proud to present her with this well-deserved honor.”

The Hal David Starlight Award, created in 2004, was renamed in honor of the SHOF Chairman for his longtime support of young songwriters. Award recipients are gifted songwriters who are at an apex in their careers and are making a significant impact in the music industry via their original songs. Swift joins the prestigious company of Rob Thomas, Alicia Keys, John Mayer, John Legend, John Rzeznik, and Jason Mraz – the past recipients of the Hal David Starlight Award.

Inductees at this year’s event include Leonard Cohen, Jackie DeShannon, David Foster, Johnny Mandel and Earth, Wind & Fire’s Maurice White, Philip Bailey, Verdine White, Larry Dunn and Al McKay. The prestigious Johnny Mercer Award will be presented to Phil Collins and the Howie Richmond Hitmaker Award will be presented to Phil Ramone.

Guitar Center Launches “Operation High Ground” Flood Relief

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In direct response to the devastation from the recent floods in Nashville, musical instrument retailer Guitar Center has launched a dedicated initiative titled Operation High Ground for Nashville Flood Relief, to help musicians, songwriters, recording studios and audio professionals re-build their lives. The goal of the program is to help Nashville’s music community get back on its feet as quickly as possible to keep the music going in Music City. Guitar Center’s President, Greg Trojan, made the announcement.

As the events of May 1 unfolded, Guitar Center management was kept apprised of the Nashville storm situation as the unprecedented floods destroyed several communities. Immediately, the company began to formulate a strategy to take advantage of its extensive resources, both locally and nationally, and put into place a comprehensive, multi-tiered plan that addresses the various musical instrument and professional audio needs of the flood victims.

Key elements of Operation High Ground include the following:

• Dedicated team specialists from both Guitar Center and GC Pro are on the ground in Nashville to interface with and advise flood victims on the best way to either repair or replace their musical instruments and recording gear as quickly as possible.

• Guitar Center has mobilized its distribution network to capitalize on the nearby Indianapolis warehouse, to ensure that if a replacement instrument, recording product or piece of audio equipment is not in stock in Nashville, it will be expedited to arrive as quickly as possible.

• A special toll-free Tennessee direct hotline (877-687-5405) to the High Ground Emergency Team has been established for customers who have experienced catastrophic loss. Callers can use this number to get rush access to musical gear purchases, along with personalized priority shipment and delivery logistics.

• Guitar Center is partnering with MusiCares® to assist the Nashville area music community by providing emergency financial assistance to help those affected get through this crisis. Donations can be made here or at any of Guitar Center’s 214 stores.

• TimePayment Corporation, an equipment leasing provider, is working with Guitar Center and GC Pro to develop a lease offering that will help the victims of the floods replace their equipment.

• Guitar Center has partnered with local Nashville FM radio station 104.5, The Zone, to help musicians rebuild their devastated communities. Beginning in May, for a six-week period, 104.5 will be holding live broadcasts from storm-damaged areas. Guitar Center representatives will be on-site to evaluate damaged gear and provide advice and assistance.

• Guitar Center has also partnered with local Nashville FM radio station 103 WKDF and 3rd and Lindsley to host a charity country music show titled Putting The Music Back in Music City. The show will be broadcast nationwide, and listeners will be solicited for donations to aid flood victims. Guitar Center will donate guitars that will be signed by the various performing artists and give one lucky listener in each market a signed guitar for donating to this event.

“Nashville has the greatest concentration of musicians, recording studios and audio professionals anywhere in the world,” says GC Pro Director Rick Plushner. “The entire community has banded together to rebuild Music City, and Guitar Center and GC Pro are proud to be a resource for those players and studios that have suffered a loss. We look forward to helping everyone get back on their feet and keeping the music alive in Nashville.”

Keith Urban Rocks “Jimmy Fallon”

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Keith Urban closed out Late Night With Jimmy Fallon last night (5/11) with a barn-burning version of the Rolling Stones’ classic, “Tumbling Dice.” Joining Urban and his band on Hammond B3 was Stones keyboardist Chuck Leavell, with producer/pianist Tony Brown pounding the keys and stellar background vocals provided by Sarah Buxton and Little Big Town’s Kimberly Roads and Karen Fairchild. Urban even gave Nashville a big, post-flood shout-out. It was great. Check it out here.

Live Nation; EMI/Terra Firma

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Live Nation Entertainment today (5/11) released financial results for the first quarter of 2010, the first earnings report since completing its merger with Ticketmaster on Jan. 25. The company reported a loss of $112 million (76 cents/share) in the quarter that ended March 31, which was more than the prior-year Q1 loss of $102.7 million ($1.29/share). The first quarter in 2009 had fewer shares outstanding, prior to the Ticketmaster deal.

Revenue grew 49% to $723 million, mainly thanks to the merger. Concert attendance fell 3% to 6.8 million from 7.1 million a year ago, while the total spending per concertgoer grew 2% to $59.71 from $58.57.

Michael Rapino, President and Chief Executive Officer of Live Nation Entertainment, said he expects the combined company to save at least $40 million during 2010 as operations between Live Nation and Ticketmaster are streamlined.

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EMI parent company Terra Firma has successfully raised 105 million pounds ($155.4 million) to stay in the good graces of lender Citigroup, according to a report today in the Wall Street Journal, citing sources close to the situation.

Meanwhile, the New York Post says Queen is the latest act planning to leave EMI, which has been its label home for four decades. An in-depth Business Week piece also reports contracts with Pink Floyd and Robbie Williams are coming up for renewal and could be in jeopardy. Paul McCartney, Radiohead and the Rolling Stones already exited the label.

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The New York Times looks at the royalty issues surrounding websites like Metrolyrics.com, which made almost $10 million in revenue last year.

Country’s Newest Acts Debut Music

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EMI Records Nashville’s flagship artist Troy Olsen released his self-titled EP today (5/11). Among the four tracks is his debut single, “Summer Thing,” for which the singer recently taped the music video in his home state Arizona. Olsen has been visiting radio stations across the country promoting the song, co-written with Ben Hayslip and Jimmy Yeary. Olsen hits the road Thurs., May 14 in Tampa, FL as part of the multi-stage Country Throwdown tour.

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Jennette McCurdy, known to fans of the Nickelodeon show iCarly,  is trying on her cowgirl boots with debut country single “Not That Far Away.” The 17-year-old Californian penned the song with Rachel Proctor and Blair Daly. McCurdy’s fans helped pick it as the first single via a poll on AOL’s The Boot. McCurdy’s album follows this fall on Capitol Records Nashville and was produced by Paul Worley. She’ll spend the summer on a radio tour and filming another season of iCarly.

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Katie Armiger’s new song “Leaving Home” is generating a big response from high school seniors as graduation draws near. The song was written by Armiger with Sarah Buxton and Blair Daly. An enhanced version of the “Leaving Home” CD was serviced to high schools, including a message from Katie, the music video, and footage of the singer’s journey over the last year. She is working on her third album for Cold River Records and has teamed with the “Hear The Music Live” organization to give youth in foster homes and orphanages a chance to attend a live concert.

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Susan Hickman with KITX/Paris, TX's Shane Oats and Chad Lindsey

Country newcomer Susan Hickman has wrapped up the second leg of a radio promotion tour for her current single, “Hell Still Ain’t Frozen Over.” The petite blonde from Texas visited a total of 24 stations and traveled over 1400 miles during the combined outings, visiting numerous stations which report to MusicRow’s Country Breakout chart.

Blackberry Smoke

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BamaJam Records’ southern rock band Blackberry Smoke is prepping the June release of single “Good One Comin’ On.” The group made an accompanying music video combining footage from the stage  with scenes from life on the road. A new version of their album Little Piece of Dixie will be released this month, containing the bonus track “Yesterday’s Wine.” The song, a cover of the Willie Nelson tune, features guests George Jones and Jamey Johnson. Blackberry Smoke is on their Jim Beam-sponsored tour throughout the summer, including a May 13 stop at Nashville’s Mercy Lounge.

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Chelsea Field’s debut single, “Things I Should’ve Said” is garnering praise from radio and reviewers. The song was produced by Trey Bruce, and the video was directed by Jeff Johnson. Two dance remixes of the track are being shipped to DJs and dance clubs across the country. Field, whose Nashville home suffered significant damage in the recent floods, is on a 12-week radio tour in support of the new single. Her full-length album is due out on Nashville-based independent Moxy Records this summer.

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Stoney Creek Records’ husband-wife duo Thompson Square has released its debut single, “Let’s Fight,” and is on radio tour promoting it. The up-tempo song was co-written by Thompson Square’s Keifer Thompson.

Shelton, Lambert Announce Engagement

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Lambert and Shelton at her black and white, '40s themed No. 1 party for "White Liar."

People.com reports that one of Country music’s favorite couples got engaged over the weekend. Blake Shelton surprised his girlfriend of five years, Miranda Lambert, with a diamond and platinum engagement ring on Sunday, May 9.

He popped the question near her home in Oklahoma, after receiving her father’s blessing, Lambert tells People. Get the full story here. More details and a photo of the ring will be in the upcoming issue of People, on newsstands Friday.

It’s already been a big year for the stars. Both racked up at the recent ACM Awards, and Lambert scored her first No. 1 hit “White Liar,” while Shelton released a new six-pak album and had the hit “Hillbilly Bone.”

Photos: CBS Nashville Reunites For One Night

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Roy Wunsch and Mary Ann McCready hosted a CBS Nashville Reunion over the weekend at Cellar One on 2nd Ave. The event attracted artists, former label staff, and industry friends from the 1975-95 time period. Album cover art adorned the walls as decoration. Guests including Billy Sherrill, Janie Fricke, Joe Stampley, Bobby Bare, Ricky Skaggs, Lynn Anderson, Barbara Fairchild, Charlie McCoy, Luke Lewis, Rick Blackburn, Joe Mansfield, Bill Ivey and Nancy Shapiro enjoyed food and drink as they mingled and reminisced.

Pictured L-R: Roy Wunsch, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Walter Yetnikoff, Mary Ann McCready. Photo: Nick Baumgardner

(L-R): Lynn Anderson, Crystal Gayle, Mary Chapin Carpenter. Photo: Nick Baumgardner

L-R: Billy Sherrill, Frances Preston, Walter Yetnikoff and his wife Lynda Yetnikoff.

Fans Set To Vote For CMT Final Nominees

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Laura Bell Bundy and CMT's Evan Farmer announce the nominees in a video posted at People.com.

With three nods each, Jason Aldean, Lady Antebellum, Taylor Swift and Carrie Underwood lead the just-released list of nominees for the CMT Music Awards, revealed on CMT.com and People.com. Following closely behind are Kenny Chesney, Toby Keith, Miranda Lambert, Reba McEntire, Tim McGraw, Brad Paisley, Steel Magnolia, Sugarland, Keith Urban and Zac Brown Band with two nominations each.

Hosted by Kid Rock, the 2010 CMT Music Awards will air live from Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena on Wednesday, June 9 on CMT and CMT.com. Country music’s biggest stars are slated to perform, including Toby Keith, Lady Antebellum, Miranda Lambert, Carrie Underwood and Keith Urban, with more to be announced.

Fans can vote online at vote.CMT.com through June 8 to determine the winners. The final nominees for Video of the Year will be announced at the beginning of the live show and fans can then vote at CMT.com and via text message throughout the live broadcast (ET/CT only) to determine the night’s big winner.

VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Best video of the year; awarded to the artist (male, female, group/duo or collaboration) and the video director. Final nominees announced during live telecast, with final voting held online at CMT.com during the show.
·         Jason Aldean – “The Truth”
·         Kenny Chesney – “Out Last Night”
·         Toby Keith – “American Ride”
·         Lady Antebellum – “Need You Now”
·         Miranda Lambert – “White Liar”
·         Brad Paisley – “Welcome to the Future”
·         Taylor Swift – “You Belong With Me”
·         Carrie Underwood – “Cowboy Casanova”
·         Keith Urban – “‘Til Summer Comes Around”
·         Zac Brown Band – “Toes”

MALE VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Best video by a male artist; awarded to the artist
·         Jason Aldean – “The Truth”
·         Billy Currington – “People Are Crazy”
·         Toby Keith – “American Ride”
·         Tim McGraw – “Southern Voice”
·         Keith Urban – “‘Til Summer Comes Around”

FEMALE VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Best video by a female artist; awarded to the artist
·         Miranda Lambert – “White Liar”
·         Reba McEntire – “Consider Me Gone”
·         Taylor Swift – “You Belong With Me”
·         Carrie Underwood – “Cowboy Casanova”

GROUP VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Best video by a group; awarded to the artists
·         Gloriana – “How Far Do You Wanna Go?”
·         Lady Antebellum – “Need You Now”
·         Rascal Flatts – “Here Comes Goodbye”
·         Zac Brown Band – “Toes”

DUO VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Best video by a duo; awarded to the artists
·         Brooks & Dunn – “Indian Summer”
·         Steel Magnolia – “Keep On Lovin’ You”
·         Sugarland – “Keep You”
·         Sugarland – “Nightswimming/Joey”

USA WEEKEND BREAKTHROUGH VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Best video from an artist’s major breakthrough album; awarded to the artist (male, female, or group/duo)
·         Luke Bryan – “Do I”
·         Laura Bell Bundy – “Giddy On Up”
·         Easton Corbin – “A Little More Country Than That”
·         Steel Magnolia – “Keep On Lovin’ You”

COLLABORATIVE VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Best video that featured a special collaborative appearance by artists; awarded to the artists (individual, group or duo)
·         Jason Aldean and Bryan Adams – “Heaven” from CMT Crossroads: Bryan Adams and Jason Aldean
·         Kenny Chesney with Dave Matthews – “I’m Alive”
·         Kellie Pickler featuring Taylor Swift – “Best Days of Your Life”
·         Blake Shelton featuring Trace Adkins – “Hillbilly Bone”

CMT PERFORMANCE OF THE YEAR
Musical performance on a television show, series or variety special on CMT; awarded to the artist (individual, group or duo)
·         Lady Antebellum – “Lookin’ For A Good Time” from the 2009 CMT MUSIC AWARDS
·         Reba McEntire – “Consider Me Gone” from INVITATION ONLY: REBA
·         Tim McGraw – “Southern Voice” from INVITATION ONLY: TIM McGRAW
·         Brad Paisley – “Then” from the 2009 CMT MUSIC AWARDS
·         Carrie Underwood – “Temporary Home” from INVITATION ONLY: CARRIE UNDERWOOD

VIDEO DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR
Best video director of the year; awarded to the director for his or her body of work from the past year
·         Deaton Flanigen (award eligible videos include: Jason Aldean’s “The Truth” and Carrie Underwood’s “Temporary Home”)
·         Chris Hicky (award eligible videos include: Miranda Lambert’s “White Liar” and Justin Moore’s “Small Town USA”)
·         Shaun Silva (award eligible videos include: Kenny Chesney’s “Out Last Night” and Rascal Flatts’ “Summer Nights”)
·         Roman White (award eligible videos include: Taylor Swift’s “You Belong With Me” and Kellie Pickler’s “Best Days of Your Life”)

Photos: Little Big Town, Matt Giraud, Toby Keith

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Matt Giraud, American Idol Top Five Finalist, Season 8, has signed with ASCAP. He is currently working on an EP with Grammy-winning producer Drew Ramsey to be released this summer. Victoria Shaw, Marcus Hummon and JT Harding are collaborators on the new project. The soulful pianist is also busy on tour.

Pictured (l-r): ASCAP's Marc Driskill and Tim DuBois, Giraud and ASCAP's LeAnn Phelan.

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Capitol Nashville’s Little Big Town headed to Louisville, KY on April 30-May 1 for the running of the 136th annual Kentucky Oaks and Kentucky Derby horse races. The Platinum selling quartet was tapped to sing the national anthem at the Kentucky Oaks race which was held on Friday, April 30 at Churchill Downs. The group wrapped their latest video shoot for current single “Little White Church” late Thursday night (4/29) and arrived in the Bluegrass state early Friday morning to kick-off the Derby festivities.

Photo by Josh Fulmer

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Toby Keith is on his eighth USO tour, traveling to four countries and boosting the morale of thousands of military families in Korea and Germany as well as troops serving on the front lines in the Persian Gulf. Joining Keith on the 14-day, 13-show adventure is singer/songwriter Scotty Emerick. Since his first USO tour in 2002, Keith has traveled to more than 10 countries and participated in seven previous USO tours.

USO Photo by Dave Gatley