ACM’s Live Online and On the Street

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Online voting for the Academy of Country Music’s 44th Annual ACM Awards officially started yesterday (3/16). Fans are encouraged to log on to ACM’s voting site at www.voteACM.com or to CBS-TV’s dedicated site, www.cbs.com/acma to cast their votes for ACM Entertainer of the Year. This year’s nominees for the highly coveted award include Kenny Chesney, Brad Paisley, George Strait, Carrie Underwood and Keith Urban. Fans can vote through the last hour of the ACM Awards, airing on CBS Sunday, April 5th at 7:00 PM CT. Each of this year’s Entertainer of the Year nominees will perform on the live telecast. Fans can also access videos and photos featuring country music artists, as well as information on all of this year’s nominees at www.cbs.com/acma.

In addition, the ACM will host two days of concerts at the Fremont Street Experience in Las Vegas during The Week Vegas Goes Country™! The weekend-long outdoor concerts series, sponsored by the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, will feature performances by recently named New Artist Award winners Julianne Hough, Jake Owen and the Zac Brown Band on April 3, as well as sets from Kellie Pickler and LeAnn Rimes on April 4. Fremont Street Experience is a five-block entertainment zone in downtown Las Vegas that features the world’s largest video screen at 1,500 feet long 90 feet above the pedestrian mall.

Vietti Chili Says “Yes We Can”

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With an innovative new promotion, the makers of Vietti Chili are giving the term “canned music” an entirely new meaning. The Nashville-based company has launched a “Vietti Vinyl Music Campaign” that promotes emerging and established musical talent through collectible product labels and other grassroots marketing initiatives. Vietti is leveraging its 30-state distribution network to promote and brand music to potential new audiences, highlighting a variety of performers right on their colorful chili cans. To date, Vietti has featured The Grascals, The Warren Brothers, Heartland, Restless Heart, John Corbett, Riders in the Sky,  Cherryholmes, Chris Young, Aly Sutton (a country artist who doubles as Vietti’s spokesperson), Tom Hambridge, Lucy Angel, The Isaacs, The Povertyneck Hillbillies, Alecia Nugent, and Pat Flynn. In addition to supermarket-shelf visibility, the promotion gives fans the chance to download the artists’ music directly from the Vietti Vinyl website (www.viettivinyl.com) and allows the artists to track traffic and downloads. Artists wishing to be considered for this campaign should submit a press kit and music sample to Vietti Vinyl Music Program, P.O. Box 23015, Nashville, TN 37202.

Paisley Party’s Rowdy Nashville Finale

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Brad Paisley wound up his Paisley Party Tour on a very high note in Nashville this past Saturday (3/14), playing a sold-out-in-advance show to a hometown crowd of over 13,000 ecstatic fans. Joining the singer onstage for his show-closer, a spirited reading of “Let the Good Times Roll,” was acclaimed blues guitarist Robben Ford, who traded hot licks with Paisley as the show — and the tour — rocked to a close. The Paisley Party Tour played to more than 775,000 fans over 64 dates and is currently the 6th top-selling tour across all genres according to Pollstar magazine.

Paisley will debut “Then,” the leadoff single from his upcoming American Saturday Night CD, on American Idol tomorrow (3/18), as part of “Grand Ole Opry Week.” The single will also be commercially available as a digital single just in time for Paisley’s Idol performance. American Idol airs on FOX tonight (3/17) 7:00-9:00 PM CT and tomorrow (3/18), from 8:00-9:00 PM CT.

CD Sales Sink, Digital Downloads Rise

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The NPD Group, a leader in market research for the entertainment industry, has reported that there were nearly 17 million fewer CD buyers in 2008 compared to the previous year. The reported decline in CD buyers cuts across all demographic groups, but was particularly focused on teens and consumers over 50 years of age. According to NPD’s annual Digital Music Study, the growing digital base and the rapid growth and popularity of social networks were key contributing factors in the decline. Not surprisingly, the decline in CD sales was accompanied by a sharp rise in Internet use, with the number of Internet users paying for digital music increasing by over 8 million in 2008.

“Rising incidence of paid downloads is a positive development for the industry, but not all lost CD buyers are turning to digital music,” said Russ Crupnick, Entertainment Industry Analyst for The NPD Group.

NPD’s report also revealed that, with digital downloads up by 29 percent, those downloads now account for 33 percent of all music tracks purchased in the US. The study also found that there were 13 million fewer music buyers in the US last year compared to the previous year, and noted a 7 percent decline in total digital music downloads in 2008. Consumers reported being frustrated with the price of CDs and satisfied with the collection of titles they already own.

On the positive side, NPD cited evidence that, overall, music listening is increasing. The study found that usage of Pandora, a leading online radio station, for example, now totals 18 percent of Internet users, and that nearly half of US teens are engaging with music on social networks.

“Just as music piracy and the advent of digital music ended the primacy of the CD, we are beginning to see new forms of listening challenge the practice of paying for music,” said Crupnick. The music industry now has to redouble efforts to intercept and engage these listeners so they can create revenue through upselling music, videos, concert tickets, and related merchandise.”

Soundscan Scans Cracker Barrel; ACM “Lifting Lives”

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With traditional record retailers closing their doors, Cracker Barrel is helping to fill the void with their successful music program, which kicked off in 2005 with Home on the Highways from Alison Krauss and Union Station. Subsequent Cracker Barrel releases from Josh Turner, Charlie Daniels, Kenny Rogers, Amy Grant and Sara Evans confirmed the company’s suspicion that they were on to something. With their upcoming release, Backwoods Barbie — Collector’s Edition from Dolly Parton, due March 24, Cracker Barrel will officially begin measuring that success through Soundscan. According to Cracker Barrel’s VP of Marketing Peter Keiser, the company’s music program, which releases four projects annually, offers artists an alternative in a declining market for traditional album sales. If SoundScan had been in place for the release of the company’s Kenny Rogers and Bill Gaither projects, Keiser said, both projects would have debuted in the Top 10.

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The Academy of Country Music will unveil their re-branded charitable fund, “Lifting Lives” at the 44th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards (Sunday, April 5th at 7:00 PM CT on CBS). To commemorate the occasion, Trace Adkins will perform his song “Til the Last Shot’s Fired” with the West Point Glee Club in support of Wounded Warrior Project (WWP), the charity selected this year by Lifting Lives. The Academy’s charitable Fund was established in 2004 as the Academy of Country Music Charitable Fund (ACMCF) to manage monies raised for music industry-related causes. “The Academy of Country Music has changed the name of its charity to encompass all existing charitable giving and not just the charitable fund, which is our grant-giving program” said SESAC’s Dennis Lord, who serves as Chairman of the Board for Lifting Lives. “We also wanted a name that explains our focus, namely lifting people up through the power of music.”

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Rural Media, parent company of Nashville cable network RFD-TV, has launched Rural TV on satellite-TV provider Sky in the United Kingdom. The station is described as “the world’s first 24-hour international television network dedicated to crossing borders with farming, equine, rural lifestyle, and traditional country music entertainment programs.” Rural TV’s satellite reach extends into 20 countries in Western Europe. “We are most excited about these opportunities as we firmly believe that ‘rural’ has no borders,” said Rural Media President Patrick Gottsch.

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MCA recording artist and ACM Top New Female Vocalist nominee Ashton Shepherd has signed with Cherry Heart Entertainment, LLC for artist management representation. “We feel it is natural to have Ashton working with Cherry Heart … we couldn’t be more passionate about Ashton’s future,” says Gratton Stephens, Cherry Heart President/CEO.

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Dane Patterson, a former contestant on NBC’s weight-loss reality series NBC’S The Biggest Loser: Couples, will compete in the 2009 Country Music Marathon & ½ Marathon on Saturday, April 25 in Nashville. Patterson’s recent attempt to complete a full marathon after being eliminated from the show caused controversy (and publicity) when it aired during the show’s “Where Are They Now?” segment. Runners can go to www.cmmarathon.com and sign up to “Run With Dane.”

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The United States Tennis Association has named the Music City Tennis Invitational (MCTI) as the 2008 Charity Tennis Event of the Year. This is the second time the event has received the award, which is judged on the number of years the event has been held, the number of participants and volunteers, and the amount of money raised for charity and the level of local community involvement. The annual tennis tournament benefits the Center for Child Development at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt. The 36th annual Music City Tennis Invitational will be held on Saturday, April 25, and Sunday, April 26, at the Brownlee O. Currey Jr. Tennis Center at Vanderbilt University.

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LeAnn Rimes is getting ready to serve customers from behind the counter at a Nashville diner, and Jessica Simpson will be working at a computer repair shop. It’s all part of I Get That A Lot, a Candid Camera-like reality show developed by CBS-TV featuring celebrities trying to pass as regular folks working ordinary jobs. Additional celebrities participating in the show, which CBS will air on April Fools Day, Wednesday, April 1 at 7 PM CT, include Heidi Klum, Ice-T, Mario Lopez and Jeff Probst.

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Tony Thomas, MD at KMPS-FM in Seattle, reported in to let us know that the station’s 2009 St. Jude Radiothon, held this past Friday and Saturday (3/13-3/14), raised $433,981 to help St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital in their ongoing fight against childhood cancer. Congratulations to all!

Country Thunder Closes

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Independent label Country Thunder Records is closing their Nashville operations it has been announced by label President Herb Graham. Country Thunder’s roster of artists included Heartland, Shawn Hammonds and country duos Bluefield and Burns & Poe. Graham will carry on with his publishing and management activities through his Graham Artist Management, with a client list that includes the entire Country Thunder roster as well as Curb Records’ Rio Grande. “In today’s economic climate, we had to evaluate where the record business is and where it is going,” said Graham. “With that information, we decided to suspend label operations.”

Some of Country Thunder’s staff will assume new roles within Graham Artist Management. Those staffers include General Manager Craig Morris (c.morris@ctrmail.net); Sr. VP Promotion & Artist Development Bobby Young (b.young@ctrmail.net); Northeast Regional Manager Promotion & Marketing Rick “RJ” Jordan (rj@ctrmail.net); Artist Development Director Ralph Salazar (Ralph@grahamartistmgt.com); and Director of New Media Rachel Wills.

Staffers exiting the company include:
Kim Markovchick, V.P. Sales and Marketing (kmarkovchick@bellsouth.net 615 438-7537);
Jeff Davis, Southeast regional rep (hirejeffdavis@bellsouth.net  615-260-4975 [temp]);
Rosey Fitzpatrick, Midwest regional rep (rosefitch@aol.com  405 769 7570 or 405 255 1001);
Steve Pleshe, West Coast regional rep (stevepleshe@hotmail.com  559-307-8148); and
Seth Necessary, Promotion Manager (sethnecessary@gmail.com  615-642-1854).

McAnally Signs With Show Dog

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Fresh off his big success with “Down The Road,” his chart-topping duet with Kenny Chesney, respected singer/songwriter and reigning CMA Musician of the Year Mac McAnally has signed with Toby Keith’s Show Dog Records.

“There’s nobody more respected, at least when it comes to musicians and people who really know this business, than Mac McAnally,” said Keith. “So getting to be a part of whatever Mac wants to do is an honor for me, and for everyone at the label.”

McAnally, a Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame inductee and a longtime member of Jimmy Buffet’s Coral Reefer Band, is also nominated for Vocal Event of the Year for the Chesney duet at the upcoming ACM Awards (airing Sunday, April 5th, 2009 at 7:00 PM CT on CBS). While “Down The Road” marks McAnally’s first No. 1 as an artist, he’s hit the top six times as a songwriter. His record production clients over the years have included Buffet, Ricky Skaggs, Sawyer Brown, Chris LeDoux and Little Feat.

DISClaimer (3/13/09)

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It’s veterans’ day.

No, not the holiday, silly. It’s a day when we have new music from some of country music’s vets. Aaron Tippin, Ricochet and Ronnie Milsap are all dropping by with new sounds. And the magnificent Mr. Milsap wins a Disc of the Day award.

Neil Carswell is a veteran, too. He previously fronted the Southern rock band Copperhead. Now he’s a solo artist with his second consecutive winning single. Keep an ear out for him, as well as Michael Scott. He is also getting his second consecutive rave review in this column.

Our DisCovery Award winner leans more toward the Americana side of the spectrum. But Diana Jones is such a strong writer that some of country’s stars should start checking out her catalog. Actually, this is Diana’s second appearance, too. But her last CD was three long years ago, and this new one is, for now, being marketed from the U.K.

DIANA JONES/Better Times Will Come
Writer: Diana Jones; Producer: Diana Jones; Publisher: Yarjones, ASCAP; Proper (track) (www.dianajonesmusic.com)
—The title tune to this singer-songwriter’s current collection is rippling acoustic tune of hope sung in a throaty, resonant alto. Guests on the CD include the esteemed Nanci Griffith and Mary Gauthier. Another standout track is “Henry Russell’s Last Words,” based on the true story of a doomed miner writing on a paper sack with a piece of coal in 1927. You can also find it on Joan Baez’s excellent, Steve-Earle-produced album The Day After Tomorrow.

JO DEE MESSINA/Shine
Writer: Clay Cumbie/Megan James; Producer: James Stroud; Publisher: Curb Congregation/Big Red Toe/Big Loud Bucks/Warner-Tamerlane/ Songwriters of Platinum Pen, SESAC/BMI; Curb
—The production frames her upbeat vocal nicely. But the faux-inspirational, chin-up, positive-think song does nothing for me.

CHRIS LOID/Back Road Home
Writer: none listed; Producer: Chris Loid; Publisher: none listed; Chris Loid Entertainment (track)
—The title track to this fellow’s CD shows off his vocal range. But even though it’s a song about murder, there is something curiously colorless about his singing.

RICOCHET/Feel Like Fallin’
Writer: Shane Teeters/Luke Bryan; Producer: Robert Wright; Publisher: Murrah Music/Shane Teeters/Universal/Z, BMI; M (www.ricochetonline.com)
—This band’s harmony singing has always been thrilling. They really turn it on in the joyous-sounding choruses here. The bridge is cool, too.

AARON TIPPIN/East Bound And Down
Writer: Jerry Reed/Dick Feller; Producer: Aaron Tippin & Tim Grogan; Publisher: Songs of Universal, BMI; Nippit (track) (www.aarontippin.com)
—Aaron’s new trucker-themed CD In Overdrive kicks off with this spirited remake of the Burt Reynolds 1977 Smokey and the Bandit movie tune. It bops right along, very much in the same vein as the Jerry Reed original, so some might find it a little “dated” sounding.

RICHARD JAYMES/Dollar And A Dream
Writer: Richard Jaymes; Producer: none listed; Publisher: Southern Pop, BMI; Shotgun/CO5 (CDX)
—This was one of the many newcomers making their debuts at last week’s Country Radio Seminar. His singing is rather bland, and is swamped by the amped-up instrumental track at times.

TIMOTHY CRAIG/Got Good Friends
Writer: Timothy Craig/Billy Falcon/Rose Falcon; Producer: Tom Harding & Timothy Craig; Publisher: Timothy Craig/Pretty Blue Songs/JuniorIsaGirl, ASCAP/BMI; Ball & Chain (CDX) (www.timothycraig.com)
—The song is sturdy, but his vocal is so shallow that he practically speaks the lyric.

NEIL CARSWELL/Bright Lights
Writer: Neil Carswell; Producer: Stu Campbell & Neil Carswell; Publisher: Lake James/GHP, ASCAP; Aspirion (CDX)
—The buzzing guitar sound is cool, and this man sings with plenty of grit and fire. This is the second time we’ve encountered this distinctive stylist, and I’m even more impressed than I was the first time around.

RONNIE MILSAP/Stand By Me
Writer: Ben E. King/Mike Stoller/Jerry Leiber; Producer: Rob Galbraith & Ronnie Milsap; Publisher: Mike & Jerry/Jerry Leiber/Silver Seahorse, BMI/ASCAP; Star Song (CDX) (615-371-6581)
—The funky, soulful track puts some slinky rhythm into what is usually performed as a gospel-soaked ballad. In any setting, it’s a fabulous evergreen song, and Ronnie pours passion all over it. The man remains a titanic talent.

MICHAEL SCOTT/Bring It On
Writer: Arnie Roman/Mark Mormon; Producer: Ricky Cobble & Michael Scott; Publisher: Roman Empire/Fintage/Rev’d Up/Songs of Windswept Pacific, ASCAP/BMI; Rocky Comfort (CDX) (www.michaelscott.com)
—This guy sings with hearty confidence and immense warmth. And judging by the superb dynamics in the track, he truly knows his way around a recording studio. To top it all off, the song is a doozy. This is Scott’s second rave in this column, so I thought I’d check out his website. It turns out that this is the title tune to his debut CD for Tracy Lawrence’s label. Definitely send more.

DISClaimer (3/6/09)

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As you might expect, the stars are twinkling for Country Radio Seminar.

Toby Keith, Sugarland, Telluride and Pat Green all have terrific new tunes for the radio decision makers to savor. Universal South is bringing forth a dandy by this week’s DisCovery Award winners, Jonathan Singleton & The Grove.

Less than a month ago (on February 13, to be exact), Caitlin & Will earned that same honor. Well, today they graduate to their first Disc of the Day prize. I hope it is the first of many to come.

TOBY KEITH/Lost You Anyway
Writer: Toby Keith/Bobby Pinson; Producer: Toby Keith; Publisher: Franklin Road/Music of Stage Three/Bobby’s Song and Salvage, BMI; Show Dog Nashville
—Sumptuous and lustrous as a ballad can be. Guitars chime and percussion pounds all around his passionate, soaring vocal. A big, big sound.

GEORGE CANYON/What I Do
Writer: George Canyon; Producer: Richard Marx; Publisher: Reiny Dawg, SOCAN; Universal (Canada) (track) (www.georgecanyon.com)
—The title tune to the Canadian hunk’s new CD is a tender “daddy” song that tugs at every heart string you’ve got. Another winner in a career that’s had a bunch of ‘em.

JONATHAN SINGLETON & THE GROVE/Livin’ In Paradise
Writer: Jonathan Singleton/Ted Jones; Producer: Dann Huff; Publisher: Crosstown Uptown/Kobalt/Murrah, ASCAP/BMI; Universal South
—The song is ear-catchingly structured, with its chorus at the beginning. Even more impressive is his cool, grainy singing voice. Jonathan has already proved himself as a top Music Row songwriter (”Watching Airplanes,” “Red Light”). This proves he has enormous artist potential as well.

STELLA PARTON/Family Ties
Writer: Stella Parton/Rucker Jones; Producer: Stella Parton; Publisher: My Mama’s/WTRC, BMI; Raptor (track) (www.stellaparton.com)
—During the past few years, Stella has really come into her own as a songwriter and a record maker. Her new Testimony CD leads off with this lilting ditty about kinfolks. Hold on for the clever “gossip” segment at the finale.

CAITLIN & WILL/Address In The Stars
Writer: Caitlin Fisher/Aimee Mayo/Chris Lindsey/Hillary Lindsey; Producer: Chris Lindsey; Publisher: Fleur de Lisa/Little Blue Typewriter/BPJ/Moonscar/Raylene, BMI/ASCAP; Columbia (track)
—At radio’s request, “Even Now” is being pulled as the duo’s single and being replaced by this piercing, penetrating ballad of loss. Both of these kids sing their faces off. Caitlin’s goose-bump raising vocal takes the lead while Will wails soulful harmony on the string-drenched choruses. The electric guitar effects are really neat, too. A super performance. Her aunt’s death from breast cancer inspired Caitlin to pen this stunner.

TELLURIDE/Pencil Marks
Writer: Adam Craig/Dillon Dixon/Michael Howard; Producer: none listed; Publisher: In Tune/Ash Street/Deane Howard, BMI; American Roots/Quarterback (www.tellurideband.com)
—The pencil marks are the ones Dad drew on the door frame as his boy grew up. The kid enters the military, comes home, has a boy of his own and starts making new pencil marks. It’s a neat little slice of life, very nicely sung and produced. I think this band has the goods.

MILEY CYRUS/The Climb
Writer: Jessi Alexander/Jon Mabe; Producer: John Shanks; Publisher: Vistaville/Hopeless Rose/Music of Stage Three/Mabe it Big, ASCAP/BMI; Walt Disney/Lyric Street/Hollywood
—Having succeeded in country music as her dad’s duet partner, pop star Miley sends out this Nashville-penned orchestral ballad as a potential cross-format performance. The gal can for-sure sing, and the chorus of this is pretty undeniable. It’s not exactly my cup of tea, but I can see why country radio might want to give it a try.

PAT GREEN/Country Star
Writer: Pat Green/Brett James; Producer: Dann Huff; Publisher: none listed, BMI/ASCAP; BNA (CDX)
—Pat comes to Music City with stars in his eyes. “I got a drinkin’ problem, so I fit right in.” That’s just one of the hoots in a lyric that name-checks, Tim, Faith, Kenny, Bocephus, Carrie, Big & Rich, Brooks & Dunn, Keith Urban and more. Great tempo tune. Great fun.

SUGARLAND/It Happens
Writer: Jennifer Nettles/Kristian Bush/Bobby Pinson; Producer: Byron Gallimore, Kristian Bush & Jennifer Nettles; Publisher: Jennifer Nettles/EMI Blackwood/Dirkpit/Music of Stage Three/Bobby’s Song & Salvage, ASCAP/BMI; Mercury (CDX)
—It’s a zippy, bopping, working-girl’s lament. Life doesn’t have any rhyme or reason. It just happens. Naturally, she tosses in a “Shhh” and pauses a moment before singing the title.

STEPHANIE CHAPMAN/This Song Is To You
Writer: Stephanie Chapman; Producer: Ray Kennedy & Nathan Chapman; Publisher: Sony ATV Tree, BMI; Pain in the Art (track) (www.stephaniechapman.com)
—The Chapmans are a young couple to watch in Tune Town. Nathan has shot to fame as Taylor Swift’s producer. Stephanie’s songs have been recorded by Trisha Yearwood, Bonnie Raitt and others. The title song to her debut CD is a sweet, soprano love ballad embellished with silvery steel passages and simple, effective guitar strumming. Highly listenable indeed. She’ll celebrate her album release on Wednesday, March 11, at The Rutledge at 7:30 p.m. Jypsi and Lauren Lucas will be there, too.

NYT Taking Chances Article Profiles Borchetta

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The New York Times Sunday Business section (3/14) prominently features a story titled, The Secrets of the Talent Scouts which attempts to get inside the heads of executives competing to find the next big thing in various fields including entertainment, technology and medical research. Executives profiled seem to agree that taking chances on passionate people early in their lives, focusing on what can go right and offering rewards that no one can match, are some of the principles they adhere to.

Among the executives profiled are Silicon Valley venture capitalist Michael Moritz, Recruiter Robin Reed and Nashville Big Machine leader Scott Borchetta.

Borchetta retells an example of how he saw early on that Taylor Swift would thrive in the spotlight during a radio visit in Bristol Tenn. “Often they just say hello for a few minutes and don’t let a brand-new artist on the air. But they liked one of Taylor’s songs and told her so. Without missing a beat, she replied: ‘Thank you. Can I play it right now for your listeners?’”