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.
• • •
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.”
• • •
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.
• • •
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.
• • •
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.”
• • •
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.
• • •
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.
• • •
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!
The News From Stringtown
/by LB CantrellStringtown Records artist John Michael Montgomery has signed to Creative Artists Agency for booking representation and with Splash! Public Relations for publicity. The singer, who recently filmed a 30-minute infomercial for Time/Life on their Country Music Explosion package, is currently promoting “Forever,” the latest single from Time Flies, his Stringtown debut.
In other Stringtown news, Amy Willis, Director/Press & Publicity the label and for Hallmark Direction, has moved over to Wortman Works Media & Marketing to assume the title of Account Executive. Willis will work with Wortman Works clients Lost Trailers and Nathan Lee Jackson, among others. She can be reached at 615-340-9675.
Flatts Set Country Digital Single Sales Tally
/by bossrossIn addition to Ms. Swift, Rascal Flatts proved a bright spot for this week’s country division. The band pre-released its single “Here Comes Goodbye” to iTunes last week and according to Nielsen Soundscan it was downloaded 125,884 times. This tops all previous first week paid sales by a country artist for a debut single. The band will pre-release a total of four songs from the upcoming Unstoppable CD leading to its April 7 release. At that time fans can click “Complete My Album” and buy the album minus the cost of the tracks they have already purchased.
Carrie Underwood followed closely behind the Flatts with sales (112,170 units) of her American Idol going-home track, previously recorded by Motley Crüe, “Home Sweet Home.” Next two highest selling country single tracks were from Taylor Swift, “Love Story,” (62,901) and “You’re Not sorry” (50,448). Keith Urban’s latest single, “Kiss A Girl” also debuted this past week with 43,009 units downloaded.
Country Top 75 current album sales stayed below 300k for the second consecutive week continuing to adversely pressure the format’s YTD sales comparisons now off 15.7%.
NSAI and CMT Announce Song Contest Winners
/by LB CantrellIdol Goes Opry and Survives (almost)
/by bossrossGrand Ole Opry week, night one, took American Idol by storm as the eleven contestants performed songs made famous by Garth Brooks, Carrie Underwood, Martina McBride, Johnny Cash, Dolly, Willie Nelson and Patsy Cline. “The odds were 100,000 to one at the beginning of this contest,” said host Ryan Seacrest at the top of the show. “Now there’s just eleven standing on the stage. But anything can happen, it’s American Idol.”
Megan Joy (Photo: American Idol)
Randy Travis, who has sold over 25 million records, was chosen as mentor for the Idol hopefuls and handled the night smoothly. Unlike Simon’s harsh tongue, Travis had a hopeful word for everyone, and some sage advice about tapping into their country-side. (Lest we forget, in the mid-eighties, Travis’ baritone almost single-handledly reignited the country format.)
The show’s most controversial interpretation was Adam Lambert’s version of “Ring of Fire.” Simon called it, “Indulgent rubbish,” but Randy lauded its originality saying, “It’s good, it’s hot.” Lambert, wearing leather gloves that left his black polished fingernails exposed, laced the track with a middle Eastern flair complete with sitar sounds and some scales not usually sung in Western music. The Grand Ole Opry crowd might boo were this young man on the Ryman stage, but national TV is another matter.
Adam Lambert (Photo: American Idol)
It will be interesting to see if it sells downloads (available in iTunes), and how the fans vote later this week.
Another highlight was Lil Rounds who channeled Martina McBride’s “Independence Day.” Rounds’ R&B roots barely stayed hidden under the surface, but in the hands of an honest teller this song gem, written by the incredible Gretchen Peters, could embrace any style and still brim with emotion. And Rounds did not disappoint in that respect.
If you haven’t been tuning in to season eight, rest assured that the bickering between Simon and Paula has matured into a love-hate spat that continues unabated and occasionally looks like it might come to blows. “Respect me,” said Paula at one point when Simon completely dissed what she had just said.” “Well you should respect the performers,” Simon countered…. and so it went. At one point the camera zoomed in and Paula appeared to be smelling Simon’s forearm while he held it passively in front of her nose [don’t ask me to explain that!] Randy Jackson chimed in with quips like, “That was a tender moment from my Dawg Kris [Allen].”
Each season needs at least one all-American blonde and Megan Joy does an admirable job filling out the top 11 in that respect. Fortunately, she can also sing—with guts. Undaunted by a fight with the flu she bravely took the stage to sing “Walking After Midnight.” Her low cut halter gown showed off her natural attributes as well as the four color tattoo which completely covers her right arm from shoulder to elbow.
Tomorrow brings Travis and Idol alum Carrie Underwood to the stage to duet “I Told You So.” Brad Paisley, hot off the close of his sold out tour and only days away from the birth of his second child is scheduled to debut his new single, “Then.” Tune in tonight (3/18) for Idol part two…
For a look at the hottest Idol handicap predictions site try dialidol.com.
ACM’s Live Online and On the Street
/by LB CantrellIn 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”
/by LB CantrellPaisley Party’s Rowdy Nashville Finale
/by LB CantrellPaisley 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
/by LB Cantrell“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”
/by LB Cantrell• • •
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.”
• • •
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.
• • •
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.
• • •
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.”
• • •
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.
• • •
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.
• • •
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
/by LB CantrellSome 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).