DISClaimer (8/7/09)

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Lee Brice

Lee Brice

This stack of platters is a nice mix of veterans and baby acts.

In the former column are Marty Raybon and Brady Seals, both of whom have splendid CD’s coming your way. Somewhere in between vet and baby are Trey Hensley, The Coal Men, Emma Jacob, Mica Roberts and Lee Brice, all of whom competed for Disc of the Day. Brice takes the prize.

Definitely in the baby category is Josh Thompson, whose debut single wins him a DisCovery Award.

JOSH THOMPSON/Beer On The Table
Writer: Josh Thompson/Ken Johnson/Andi Zack; Producer: Michael Knox; Publisher: not listed, ASCAP/SESAC/BMI; Columbia (CDX)
JoshThompson-beer150—Thumpa, thumpa, thumpa, thumpa. This rocking working man’s lament is a nice piece of writing, but his tenor vocal veers over toward Tim McGraw’s territory a little. In sum, I’d say he’s promising. Send more.

TREY HENSLEY/It Is What It Is
Writer: Steve Wariner/Lane Turner/Rick Carnes; Producer: Paul Martin & Steven Robinson; Publisher: Steve Wariner/Major Bob/Songs of Peer, BMI/ASCAP; Kid in the Hat (track) (www.treyhensley.com)
—I have praised this teenage prodigy’s talents before. The title tune to his latest collection has a delightful Buck Owens vibe. Co-writer Wariner provides the stinging guitar licks. Essential listening.

KELLIE PICKLER/Didn’t You Know How Much I Loved You
Writer: Troy Verges/Chris Lindsey/Aimee Mayo; Producer: Chris Lindsey; Publisher: Songs of Universal/Songs From the Engine Room/Universal Careers/Silverkiss/MGB Songs/Magic Farming, BMI/ASCAP; BNA (track)
—I am a fan of all things Pickler. Thus, it pains me to hear her releasing such a generic Music Row ballad instead of a smash.

EMMA JACOB/Julianna
Writer: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Black River
—This is her second home-run single in a row. She sings with such fire and passion. Here’s some even better news: The song’s lyric of a gal going wrong is brilliantly crafted. The heart-pumping production supports her performance at every turn. Somebody make this woman a star.

LEE BRICE/Love Like Crazy
Writer: Doug Johnson/Tim James; Producer: Doug Johnson; Publisher: Mike Curb/Sweet Radical/Warner-Tamerlane/T-Bird’s Music, BMI; Curb
—Nicely done. Lee’s vocal delivers the everyday-folks lyric with pitch-perfect dramatic sense. He goes from conversational intimacy in the verses to shout-to-the-heavens power in the choruses.

MARK WAYNE GLASMIRE/Everything Is Gonna Be Alright
Writer: Mark Wayne Glasmire; Producer: none listed; Publisher: Traceway, ASCAP; Spinville (www.markwayneglasmire.com)
—The factory closes. Daddy loses his job. The bank forecloses on their home. The family becomes homeless. But they survive with faith, love and hope intact. The hang-on-every-line story song is surrounded by an acoustic-based production that keeps the emphasis on the lyric. An admirable effort all around.

MICA ROBERTS/Days You Live For
Writer: Mica Roberts/Regie Hamm/Lee Thomas Miller; Producer: Regie Hamm; Publisher: Hears a Hit/BBGB/Writers of Sea Gayle/Emmas Garden, SESAC/BMI; Show Dog Nashville
—Hit songwriter Hamm (David Cook’s pop giant “The Time of My Life”) turns out to be a nifty record producer, too. The pumping energy in this track is terrific. Mica attacks the lyric with gusto.

BRADY SEALS/Ho Down
Writer: Brady Seals/Kizzy Plush; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; StarCity (track) (www.bradyseals.com)
—Are we allowed to say “ho” on country radio? The floozy passes out in front of the bandstand, hence “Ho Down.” This well-produced stomper advises the dancers not to tramp on the tramp.

THE COAL MEN/Farther Find Me Now
Writer: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Funzalo (track) (www.thecoalmen.com)
—The group’s new Kids With Songs CD includes this beautifully atmospheric audio masterpiece. This doomed session of hide-and-seek has already achieved a measure of notoriety by being featured last month in the Discovery Channel show The Deadliest Catch. I remain a massive fan of Dave Coleman and his power-Americana trio. I can’t wait for the rest of you to hear this.

MARTY RAYBON & FULL CIRCLE/Leavin’ On The Next Thing Smokin’
Writer: Joe Diffie/Danny Morrison/Johnny Slate; Producer: Marty Raybon; Publisher: Forrest Hills/Sony-ATV Acuff Rose, BMI; Synchoro (track) (www.martyraybon.com)
—Marty’s new This, That & the Other CD kicks off with this banjo-and-percussion driven romp. Try adding a little bit of bluegrass flavor to your playlist. Elsewhere on the CD are tastes of Cajun, honky-tonk, gospel and comedy from such stellar writers as Bobby Braddock, Mark Collie, Dickey Lee, the Hemphills, Red Lane and Ben Speers.

McGraw Debut Tops Country Chart

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Tim

Ghosts and goblins will no doubt be out in force this weekend, but hopefully they’ll also drive consumers into their favorite stores to add Halloween music to their trick or treat treasure bags. Country sales gained momentum for the week ended 10/25/09 with debuts from Tim McGraw and Lyle Lovett who perhaps helped several other Top 10 titles to show some gains as well. According to Nielsen SoundScan a division of The Nielsen Company, McGraw topped country sales with over 136k units (12% digital), enough scans to also earn the Curb superstar a No. 2 position on the Top Current Albums all genre list. (McGraw’s last studio release generated first week sales of 325k in April 2007.) Other Current Country debuts included the irrepressible Lyle Lovett at No. 8 with almost 16k units (45% digital) and duo Bomshel which turned about 6,000 units (18% digital), enough to score No. 24.

2009 Country sales continue to keep pace with 2008, however the remaining nine weeks will pose challenges, for sure. Last year during Nov. we saw debuts from Toby Keith (91k), Rascal Flatts (89k), Brad Paisley (53k), Zac Brown Band (43k) and Trace Adkins (37k). Plus a sophmore debut from Taylor Swift that debuted with 592k units and passed the million unit mark as Nov. ended. That’s some stiff competition for this year’s Nov. debuts which will include an updated Fearless package from Swift and new releases from Carrie Underwood and Josh Turner.

The current year’s top selling country albums include Swift (1.9 million), Hannah Montana (1.6 million), Rascal Flatts (1 million) and Zac Brown Band (918k). Rascal Flatts’ Unstoppable holds the 2009 record for the largest first week country sales with 351k units sold. Of that 351k, 58k were digital—another record!

The big picture continues to show overall all-genre album sales down about 14% and country music sales YTD down a trim 1.5%. Unfortunately, based upon the release discussion above, it seems reasonable to expect the country stat will fall a bit deeper into negative territory by year end.

Gone Pink: Artists, Radio Fight For A Cure

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Troy Gentry

Troy Gentry

Montgomery Gentry’s Troy Gentry has been sporting pink Chuck Taylor Converse sneakers all over town lately in honor of October’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month. He wore them on the stage of the Grand Ole Opry, and in the studio where he and Eddie Montgomery are finishing up their latest album. Gentry explained, “I have three very special women in my life, my wife Angie and daughters Taylor and Kaylee, and even if it’s a small gesture, I wanted to do my part in helping spread awareness about breast cancer to hopefully keep them and all women safe from this disease. ”

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The Grenax Broadcasting staff in Flagstaff, Arizona, which includes MusicRow Country Breakout Chart Reporter KSED, dressed in pink to support the Susan G. Komen Foundation earlier this month. Money was collected in the office and around the market to be donated to breast cancer education services across Northern Arizona. Hundreds of listeners also joined in by wearing pink and spreading awareness. Operations Director Dan Baisden said, “Susan G. Komen Foundation serves thousands of women across the state every day and anything we can do to help promote their education initiatives and research is very important.”

Grenax Broadcasting staff dress in pink.

The Grenax Broadcasting staff dress in pink.

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lantana

Lantana at the State Fair of Texas (L-R): Lisa Underwood, Biz Haddock, Dalene Richelle. Photo: Mark Davis

Country trio Lantana was scheduled to perform before an estimated crowd of 100,000 at the Cowboys Stadium on Sunday, Oct. 25 as the football giants kicked off their first Breast Cancer Awareness month event. The Dallas Cowboys’  “GameDay Productions” Team booked the band after seeing their recent performance before a crowd of 92,000 at the State Fair of Texas during the University of Texas vs Oklahoma University game. Lantana has spent the past year working on songs for a new CD, perfecting their new stage show and building a solid fan base in their home state of Texas.

Big Kenny Solo Debut Coming Nov. 10

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Big Kenny met U2's Bono at a concert stop in Norman, Oklahoma, on October 18.  The two were introduced by a mutual friend due to their similar philanthropic passions.

Big Kenny met U2's Bono at a concert stop in Norman, Oklahoma on Oct. 18.

Big Kenny is prepping for the Nov. 10 release of his first solo album, The Quiet Times of a Rock and Roll Farm Boy. He visited the Today show on Monday and was set for Fox And Friends today (10/28) and Imus In The Morning tomorrow (10/29).

The lead single, “Long After I’m Gone,” can be downloaded for free at his Web site. Those who download it will be entered to win his personal iPhone and an 8GB custom flash drive. Winners will be announced during street week.

album

Fans who pre-order the Glotown/Love Everybody/Bigger Picture release will receive an instant download of the track “One More Time,” the “Long After I’m Gone” video, and more.

The project has ten songs written or co-written by Kenny and will be packaged in bio-degradable materials embedded with wildflower seeds suitable for planting. The album’s physical packaging is made of 100% compostable materials.

WB Artists Secure NASCAR Connection

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wbWarner Music Nashville has entered a marketing partnership with the NASCAR Sprint Cup racing team, BAM Racing. Through the agreement, WMN artists will be promoted at NASCAR events, through artist tie-ins, sponsorships and promotional appearances covering racetrack video screens and event stages. Warner artists including Blake Shelton, Whitney Duncan, James Otto and Michelle Branch will also receive special positioning of their images and branding on BAM’s No. 49 racecar, show cars, transporter and pit equipment.

The first BAM promotional event with WMN artists is scheduled to take place on Feb. 6, 2010 at the Daytona International Speedway.

In other news from the Warner Bros. camp, the Nashville staff has new e-mail addresses. They can be reached at first.lastname@wmg.com.

Gibson Plans Free Les Paul Tribute

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les paulGibson Guitar, the musical instrument manufacturer known for crafting the Les Paul guitar, will hold a special tribute to the late innovator on Thurs., Nov. 19 at the Ryman. The free concert will feature Paul’s godson Steve Miller, John Rich, Emerson Drive, JD Souther, Steve Wariner, Joan Jett, Ace Frehley, Zakk Wylde, Jennifer Batten, and Josh Kelly. Also set to perform are jazz artists Sarah Partridge and Anna Wilson. The Les Paul Trio, known for their Monday night performances with Paul at the Iridium in New York prior to his death, will serve as the house band.

Les Paul’s son, Russ Paul, along with Gibson Guitar Chairman and CEO Henry Juszkiewicz and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum President Terry Stewart will emcee the 90 minute program starting at 8 PM.

Les Paul, the innovator and inventor who passed away at 94 years old this past August was known throughout the world for creating multi-track recording and as the father of the electric guitar. Many other programs and special events will continue to take place throughout the year and early 2010 to mark anniversary dates significant to Les Paul’s life.

Click here for details on free tickets.

CNet: Big Champagne’s Eric Garland; Media Meltdown

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Eric Garland

Eric Garland

Big Champagne has been collecting data on file sharing for over 10 years and enjoyed a front row seat as the music and entertainment industry has grappled with the changes mandated by an evolving digital world. In this CNet.com interview by Greg Sandoval, CEO/co-founder Eric Garland turns his attention from music to movies to highlight some key differences between the two entertainment formats. One area specifically addressed is consumer expectations of ownership vs. renting for music and film and the challenges that represents for various business models.

Here’s some edited quotes: Click HERE for the complete story

Garland: The cute answer, which is probably the truest answer, is that growing a sector is a privilege and not a right. There is no right size. There is no correct or God-given size for any sector. Why do we get to make movies that cost $300 million to make? Because we have found venues where people will spend more than $300 million on the result. If people spend only $50 million then the price of a movie must be $49 million or less.

Garland: But I want to be clear that I was far more bearish on music than I am about Hollywood’s prospects… Customers would say “I want MP3s” and the music industry would say “We can’t do MP3s because we have to have (digital rights management).” The customer would say “deal breaker!” The customer said “I want to eat all I want at one low price that feels like free.” The music industry said “No my friend, it’s a dollar a track.” There was no point of agreement. Hollywood conversely, is very different.

Hollywood says we like DRM, we would like to extend to you this content but on terms that we control and the customer says “Yeah, that’s cool. I’ve always been good with that. I like renting.”… The music industry says “How come we can’t we do that?” The customer says “No, because it’s not my expectation. It’s not the contract that we’ve had all along.”

To visit BigChampagne’s MusicRow country format charts click here.

CMA Sets Awards Presenters, Gets “GMA” Spot

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Neil Flynn and Patricia Heaton; Photo credit: Bob D'Amico.

Neil Flynn and Patricia Heaton; Photo credit: Bob D'Amico.

The first group of presenters have been announced for The 43rd Annual CMA Awards, including NASCAR superstar driver Dale Earnhardt Jr.; stars of ABC’s The Middle Neil Flynn and Patricia Heaton; Julianne Hough; nominee Randy Houser (for both New Artist and Music Video of the Year for “Boots On”); nominee Jake Owen (New Artist of the Year); Kellie Pickler; CMA Award winner LeAnn Rimes; and ABC News’s Robin Roberts, co-anchor of Good Morning America and host of the upcoming Robin Roberts: Bright Lights. Big Stars. All Access Nashville ABC television special (airing Nov. 10). Also, Love and Theft will host the Pre-Telecast Awards.

Love and Theft

Love and Theft

The CMA Awards will be hosted by Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood, and will air live from the Sommet Center in Nashville, Wed., Nov. 11 (7:00-10:00 PM/CT) on the ABC Television Network.

Paisley and Underwood will also perform on ABC’s Good Morning America Tues., Nov. 10 live from Nashville. The GMA concert is free and open to the public and takes place on the Sommet Center’s outside plaza at the corner of Broadway and Fifth Avenue, presented by Chevrolet.

Nichols Partners With TheHopeLine

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joenichols400Joe Nichols has partnered with TheHopeLine, to create a website to help people struggling with addictions. Nichols song “An Old Friend Of Mine,” from his just released CD Old Things New was the inspiration for the partnership and the site is www.anoldfriendofmine.com.

“Partnering with Joe Nichols to help people struggling with addictions is very exciting,” says Dave Anderson TheHopeLine’s Director. “Those struggling need to understand there is hope and TheHopeLine wants to help reach, rescue and restore them as they begin their journey to recovery. We are hopeful Joe’s effort will encourage other mainstream artists to consider how they might help their fans, and others, who might be struggling with difficulty in their life.”

Nichols new site will make a chat room HopeCoach available on Thursdays 7-9 p.m. during the month of Nov.

Nashville Scene: Dolly Parton Box Set

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A hefty new collection reflects the many facets of Dolly Parton’s talent. Read more.