Further evidence? Taylor on the new cover of "InStyle."
Country’s last popularity peak was spearheaded by Garth Brooks who attracted both countryphiles and musicphiles—fans with a wide variety of musical tastes. Today there are a great many similarities to those times with the media’s strong attraction toward Taylor Swift and her music which to date has sold over 10 million records.
When Garth was riding his wave of popularity he helped, (and was helped), by what we now call the class of ’89. Is there a new class of ’09? Hot acts were showcased on the CMA Awards such as Lady Antebellum, Darius Rucker, Jason Aldean, Miranda Lambert, Zac Brown Band, Jamey Johnson and Billy Currington. Favorites such as Carrie Underwood, Brad Paisley, Sugarland, George Strait, Kenny Chesney, Martina McBride and Reba proved themselves current and cutting edge. It was an amazing tour de force of new, developing and established talents.
Could country be on the verge of a strong expansion lead by the 19-year-old singer/songwriter and reinforced by a vigorous rising class of appealing artists ready to benefit from the format’s increased attention? Let’s examine some of the recent dots
on our tastemaker radar and see if they connect.
A lot of high profile happenings have taken place in a short timespan. The CMA Awards show this week drew its highest ratings since 2005 with an estimated 35 million viewers watching at least some portion of the show. Swift performed twice and won four trophies. The precocious prodigy also brought Saturday Night Live its best ratings of the season when she appeared as host and musical guest on Nov. 7. Bundle Swift’s recent appearance/performance on Oprah, the VMA/Kanye West incident which brought worldwide coverage, plus her sold-out tour and it is easy to see why she is now the largest selling artist across all formats. And where is she from? What does she call herself? [Answers: Nashville; country.]
A grassroots indication that attention is turning toward country music, also happened the day following the Awards when MusicRow.com experienced its largest ever one-day traffic numbers—a staggering increase of 37% over its previous all-time best day. People were searching out information about Swift, the awards and the format in numbers we have never seen before.
Is Taylor the new Garth? Will her magnetic popularity reconnect country with a larger multi-format audience? Is there a class of ’09? Time will tell, but it appears that a new energy in country music is starting to rumble across America. Hopefully we’ll see it reflected on the holiday sales charts. If these dots are connecting, it will mean good things for everyone on Music Row in the coming year. Bring it on!
Opinion: Is Taylor The New Garth; Does History Repeat?
/by adminFurther evidence? Taylor on the new cover of "InStyle."
Country’s last popularity peak was spearheaded by Garth Brooks who attracted both countryphiles and musicphiles—fans with a wide variety of musical tastes. Today there are a great many similarities to those times with the media’s strong attraction toward Taylor Swift and her music which to date has sold over 10 million records.
When Garth was riding his wave of popularity he helped, (and was helped), by what we now call the class of ’89. Is there a new class of ’09? Hot acts were showcased on the CMA Awards such as Lady Antebellum, Darius Rucker, Jason Aldean, Miranda Lambert, Zac Brown Band, Jamey Johnson and Billy Currington. Favorites such as Carrie Underwood, Brad Paisley, Sugarland, George Strait, Kenny Chesney, Martina McBride and Reba proved themselves current and cutting edge. It was an amazing tour de force of new, developing and established talents.
Could country be on the verge of a strong expansion lead by the 19-year-old singer/songwriter and reinforced by a vigorous rising class of appealing artists ready to benefit from the format’s increased attention? Let’s examine some of the recent dots
on our tastemaker radar and see if they connect.
A lot of high profile happenings have taken place in a short timespan. The CMA Awards show this week drew its highest ratings since 2005 with an estimated 35 million viewers watching at least some portion of the show. Swift performed twice and won four trophies. The precocious prodigy also brought Saturday Night Live its best ratings of the season when she appeared as host and musical guest on Nov. 7. Bundle Swift’s recent appearance/performance on Oprah, the VMA/Kanye West incident which brought worldwide coverage, plus her sold-out tour and it is easy to see why she is now the largest selling artist across all formats. And where is she from? What does she call herself? [Answers: Nashville; country.]
A grassroots indication that attention is turning toward country music, also happened the day following the Awards when MusicRow.com experienced its largest ever one-day traffic numbers—a staggering increase of 37% over its previous all-time best day. People were searching out information about Swift, the awards and the format in numbers we have never seen before.
Is Taylor the new Garth? Will her magnetic popularity reconnect country with a larger multi-format audience? Is there a class of ’09? Time will tell, but it appears that a new energy in country music is starting to rumble across America. Hopefully we’ll see it reflected on the holiday sales charts. If these dots are connecting, it will mean good things for everyone on Music Row in the coming year. Bring it on!
Covington Plans Live Release
/by Sarah SkatesThe digital EP also features a preview of “Mexicoma,” which will be on the spring 2010 release I’m Alright, as well as hits “A Different World,” “It’s Good To Be Us” and “I’ll Walk.”
Shriver, Nadler Named Presidents of Country Crossing Records
/by Sarah SkatesCountry Crossing co-President Susan Nadler, Ronnie Gilley Entertainment President James Stroud, Country Crossing artist Lorrie Morgan, Country Crossing co-President Evelyn Shriver
Country Crossing Records will be headed by co-Presidents Evelyn Shriver and Susan Nadler, the longtime music business partners which previously ran George Jones’ Bandit Records.
Country Crossing is part of Ronnie Gilley Entertainment, which also includes James Stroud’s Stroudavarious Records and BamaJam Records. The label is home to John Anderson and Lorrie Morgan, who has a long history working with Shriver and Nadler. Country Crossing has released Morgan’s A Moment In Time, Anderson’s Bigger Hands, as well as projects from Aaron Tippin, Lee Greenwood and others. A collection of standards from Louise Mandrell is in the works.
With a background in publicity, Shriver became the first female President of a major country label when she took the helm of Asylum Records. With Nadler as Executive VP/A&R, the duo’s collaboration at Asylum resulted in two Grammy wins during their first year of business. Shriver and Nadler formed Bandit in 2001 with Jones. They also opened HD Ready, a high definition TV production company which handled PBS’s show SoundStage.
Country Crossing Records can be reached at 615-242-1234.
Conway To Depart Buddy Lee Attractions
/by admin“It has been an extraordinary experience, and I have worked with the most amazing group of artists and staff for over three decades,” says Conway. “I want to thank the late Buddy Lee for mentoring me in the business and the Lee family for allowing me to be a part of country music history. I feel I have completed my mission at B.L.A. and leave it in very capable hands. I am now excited about the next chapter in my own business ventures and the opportunity to apply my experience to new projects.”
The departure was also announced by Donna Lee, VP/co-owner of Buddy Lee Attractions in a separate press release.
Conway will announce his plans in the near future and can be reached at tcagent@aol.com
B.L.A. has represented some of the biggest superstars in country music, such as Hank Williams Jr., George Strait, Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, George Jones, Tammy Wynette, Ronnie Milsap, Garth Brooks, Dixie Chicks, and Lee Ann Womack.
Currently B.L.A. represents Jeff Foxworthy, Jason Aldean, Lorrie Morgan, Billy Ray Cyrus and others. Conway is a 34-year veteran of the music business who, along with Buddy Lee, produced and promoted the Farm Aid concerts. He is the recipient of the Hubert Long Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Association of Talent Directors, and the CMA President’s Award.
Hall of Fame Debuts New Web Site
/by Sarah SkatesThe Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum launched a new Web site today at www.countrymusichalloffame.org.
The redesigned site features tons more video, particularly of the Museum’s special programming such as the Poets & Prophets series, Nashville Cats, and events tied to the Williams Family exhibition. There are also more photos, facts, and information.
Tina Wright, the Hall’s director of media relations, says the new site is like a virtual trip to the Museum. She explains that developers wanted to use the site to make the institution, its events, and exhibits accessible to those who couldn’t attend in person.
The domain change from .com to .org emphasizes the organization’s focus on being a not-for-profit educational entity. Accordingly, staff e-mails have changed and they can now be reached at firstinitallastname@countrymusichalloffame.org.
Among the upcoming events at the Hall:
Sat., Nov. 14—Songwriter Session with Marshall Chapman at 11:30 a.m. Followed by an Interview and Performance with Norbert Putnam as part of Nashville Cats: A Celebration of Music City Musicians at 1:30 p.m.
Tues., Nov. 17—Louise Scruggs Memorial Forum Interview with Mary Martin at 6:00 p.m. (free)
Photos From The Road: Aldean, Bryan, Newfield
/by Sarah SkatesMembers of the Turks Publishing Coalition roadtripped to Jason Aldean's recent show in Murray, KY. (L- R) manager Chris Parr, Steve Markland, S1's Pat Finch, Tim Hunze, Jason Aldean, Sam Ramage, Mike Sebastian, Clay Myers, Lynn Gann, and Billy Lynn.
Luke Bryan became the first country artist to perform at a University of Central Florida Homecoming concert, where he opened in Orlando, Florida for rapper T Pain.
Heidi Newfield, Joe Nichols, Derek Sholl and “Nashville Star” finalist Kacey Musgraves, played at the “Country for Our Country” benefit concert in Tyler, Texas. Funds will benefit Military Warriors Support Foundation to support education for the wounded warriors, or their family members. It was emceed by radio personalities Big D and Bubba. Pictured: Newfield with wounded warrior Jarrod Deas. photo by Jan Barton
Faith Hill Hosts CBS Holiday Special
/by Sarah SkatesIt will be broadcast Wednesday, Dec. 23 (8:00-9:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network, with performances by Hill, Underwood, Reba, Mary J. Blige, Shakira and Michael Franti, who was also adopted. Actresses Jenna Elfman (Accidentally on Purpose) and Nia Vardalos (My Big Fat Greek Wedding) are among the celebrities sharing stories on the subject.
CMA Honors Media Achievements
/by Sarah SkatesThe Country Music Association celebrated members of the national and international media this week while they were in town for the CMA Awards. Receiving trophies were PEOPLE’s Cynthia Sanz and BBC Radio 2’s Al Booth.
Shelton and Sanz
Veteran print journalist Cynthia Sanz, Assistant Managing Editor for PEOPLE, received the 2009 CMA Media Achievement Award during the CMA Awards Media-Publicist Brunch on Awards day (11/11). On hand to present the trophy was Warner Bros. recording artist Blake Shelton.
BBC Radio 2 Executive Producer Al Booth was surprised at this week’s CMA International Media Reception when she was presented with the 2009 Wesley Rose International Media Achievement Award. A lifelong Country Music fan, Booth is the Country Music specialist at the United Kingdom’s most popular radio station BBC Radio 2, with a weekly reach of nearly 13.5 million listeners.
(L-R) CMA International Consultant Bobbi Boyce, Booth, CMA Board Member Victoria Shaw, and CMA Senior Manager of Membership & Industry Relations Hank Adam Locklin.
MR Web Traffic Through The Roof
/by Sarah SkatesMusicRow.com set new web traffic records yesterday (11/12), pushed by loads of CMA Awards coverage including winners, after-party photos and the always popular Bobby Karl Works The Room column.
Page views on the site totaled almost 9,000, marking the busiest day in its history. This is a significant 37 percent increase over the all-time high for unique visits. Special thanks to all our readers “clicking like crazy!”