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?’”

BBR’s Krista Marie—Ringtone For A Cause

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Broken Bow/Holeshot recording artist Krista Marie has come up with a unique way to combine career promotion and a good song with a good cause. The western New York-born singer/songwriter, who is also a champion ATV Motocross racer, is the cowriter of her single, “Drive It Like I Stole It,” which has been picked as the theme song for ESPN’s coverage of NHRA drag racing’s 2009 season. On the track and on tour, driving safety is always on Marie’s mind, which is why her association B.R.A.K.E.S is such a good fit. B.R.A.K.E.S., which stands for Be Responsible and Keep Everyone Safe, was founded by drag racer Doug Herbert after he lost his two sons in a tragic automobile accident. The  nonprofit organization promotes safe and responsible driving. To support the organization, Marie and her label have made a ringtone available for “Drive It Like I Stole It,” and will donate 100% of the proceeds to B.R.A.K.E.S. “With my motorsports background and the fact that I’m traveling more and more with my music career, I couldn’t think of a better organization to partner with than B.R.A.K.E.S.,” Marie said.

Taylor Down Under

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For the past ten days, she’s been all over Australia playing a series of sold out dates, but somehow superstar Taylor Swift has made time for some worthwhile extracurricular activities, including a CMA award presentation, a benefit concert and a even a day at the beach.

The singer/songwriter traveled to the “CMC Rocks the Snowys Festival” in Thredbo, NSW and caught up with a very surprised John Bond, presenting the Australian radio personality with the Country Music Association’s International Country Broadcaster Award. Bond oversees the most popular shift on Sydney’s 2KA Cool Country, playing a broad mix of Australian, Canadian and American country music.

“I am shocked beyond belief,” said Bond. “I love Country Music and enjoy sharing it with my listeners every day. Who would have imagined Taylor Swift giving me an Award? I thank CMA for this honor.”

In other Swift news, the singer has extended her time Down Under by several days in order to join top artists including Coldplay, Hoodoo Gurus, Barry Gibb and Wolfmother at Sound Relief, a weekend benefit concert to raise money for victims of the recent devastating Australian brush fires. As if that weren’t enough, Swift, in a Twitter post sent earlier today (3/13), let friends and fans know that she was enjoying a well-deserved day off, driving two hours outside of Sydney for some much needed r&r and that day at the beach.

Taylor Swift and CMA Board Member Rob Potts present the CMA International Country Broadcaster Award to Australian radio personality John Bond of 2KA Cool Country. (l-r) Potts, Swift, and Bond. Photo Credit: B.J. Went

Karmazin Blames Doom & Gloom

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Mel Karmazin, CEO of Sirius XM Satellite Radio blames a “doom and gloom” fourth quarter for the company’s lackluster results. Satcaster investors were saddled with analyst reports, during the quarter, that it might be unable to meet its debt obligations. Finally, Liberty Media Corp. lent Sirius XM over $500 million while taking a 40% stake in the company to cover upcoming payments. Karmazin’s concerns which included the economy and the Circuit City bankruptcy, can be seen in the disappointing subscriber numbers announced this past week. Subs grew by a scant 83,000 in the fourth quarter compared with a combination of 1.1 million in the same period a year ago for Sirius and XM.

On tap for the second quarter of 2009 is a new iPhone application which would offer an option to subscribe to the service without having to buy a new satellite-enabled radio. Analysts cite a plethora of issues that mostly negatively affect the growth and development of Sirius XM. For example, shrinking car sales which lowers the number of new sat-ready radios put into the marketplace. Also discussed is the growing sense that streamed Internet will make its way into the driver-livingroom and sites music discovery outlets like Pandora will provide competitive options that might limit future satellite subscriber growth.

Opryland Revs Up With New “Experiences”

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Gaylord Opryland Resort has announced seven new “Country Music Experiences,” which the hotel is touting as part of “the nation’s most authentic country music vacation.” The new experiences include:

Gibson’s Check-In, Rock Out™! — This new program allows guests to create music in their rooms by choosing from a variety of Gibson guitars to lease for a day. Guests receive a “Pocket Pod” amplifier with headphones so they won’t disturb other guests while rocking out in their rooms.

Opry Country Classics — Beginning March 26, Opry Country Classics at the Grand Ole Opry House will feature a revolving door of hosts including Larry Gatlin, Marty Stuart and John Conlee performing classic country songs along with storytelling and vintage country film clips.

World-Famous Wildhorse House Band Search Contest — Incoming Wild Horse Saloon manager Ron Kerere will oversee a number of new activities at the downtown Nashville venue, including this nationwide competition for a new house band that will be held late spring.

For more information go to www.gaylordopryland.com.

Jack White Debuts Nashville HQ and New Band

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Already balancing two successful bands, the White Stripes and the Raconteurs, and various side projects including a recent recording and video shoot with country’s Ricky Skaggs and Ashley Monroe, rock star and Music City resident Jack White has embarked on yet additional adventures. White has established a headquarters for his Third Man Records label and recording/photography studio in downtown Nashville. The new Third Man Records building houses label offices, a vinyl record store, a photo studio and a performance stage.

White’s new band, The Dead Weather features lead singer Alison Mosshart of The Kills, Queens of the Stone Age guitarist Dean Fertita and White’s fellow Raconteur Jack Lawrence on bass. White plays drums and sings in the new band. Last night (3/11), in their first public performance, The Dead Weather played songs from their already-completed debut album, the White-produced Horehound, for about 150 fans. Among those fans was another Nashville-based rocker, Sheryl Crow and country star Martina McBride. In yet another country music connection, The Oak Ridge Boys have recorded a version of the White Stripes hit, “Seven Nation Army.”

Third Man plans a June release for Horehound. “This band is the first project to come out of this new system, which is our new studio in town and this building,” White said.

Idol Audience Presents Marketing Bonanza

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Joe Galante

Joe Galante

American Idol will feature the Grand Ole Opry on March 17/18 and showcase Opry members Carrie Underwood, Brad Paisley plus Randy Travis who is also serving as the show’s musical mentor. Sony and Warner Bros. are leveraging the show’s 24+ million audience in some interesting and unconventional ways.

Underwood’s recording of Motley Crue’s “Home Sweet Home” was chosen as the season’s soundtrack for its Idol going home segment each week. It is currently on sale as a digital track.

Underwood will also sing “I Told You So” with Travis and the digital duet will immediately be available for sale online. This track appears concurrently with her hit solo version of the song now climbing the charts.

Paisley’s new single, “Then” will also be performed for the first time on Idol and immediately offered as a digital single.

Also taking advantage of this mass market bonanza, Travis will release his new CD on March 17 to capitalize on the coverage.

Surely all these marketing hooks are no coincidence. Music Row checked in with Sony Music Chairman Joe Galante to get a read on how it came about and what the expectations are…

MR: Joe is this the first time that you have released a digital-only single right after American Idol?
JG: Actually we did it last year for the charity single that Carrie performed on the Idol Gives Back show. Late last year the idea presented itself for Carrie to work on developing a song for the show this year. She demoed “Home Sweet Home,” everyone loved it, and it wound up being the song for the “going home” segment. It debuts on sale March 16. And the Randy/Carrie duet
came about because it is a special occasion. Randy was the one that introduced her on the Opry and asked her to join. The idea became a natural after the Idol folks decided to do Opry week and Randy became the mentor.

MR: Are you expecting sales to resemble a big spike curve?
JG: There’s no doubt in my mind that the fans are going to want to capture this moment. Carrie and Brad’s audience plus other musicphiles. It’s great that Idol is tipping their hat to the Opry and giving us this kind of platform.

MR: This plan leverages the power of a unique TV property with a mass audience in much that way that you traditionally hope to leverage the power of country radio.
JG: Yes. FremantleMedia and 19 have always been great about country. Every chance Carrie got when she was competiting on the show she was singing country. I remember Simon asking, “Why do you sing that stuff?” But my last conversation with Simon showed that he is getting it now. Carrie has been a tremendous spokeswoman for all of us in this format. We saw in the CMA research, that people are walking through the country door because of this show. It’s a great opportunity for everybody in the format to participate.”

Read more here and also here!

Doug Baker Exits RCA

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Effective today (3/12), RCA Nashville Director of National Promotion Doug Baker has exited the company. With RCA for the past eight years, Baker served as the label’s Director of Southeast Regional Promotion before rising to Director of National Promotion in 2006. Baker’s resume includes stints as National Director of Promotion for Virgin Nashville and Director of Radio Marketing for Capitol Nashville. He also spent more than 15 years in country radio, with tenures at KNIX Phoenix, WFMS Indianapolis, and Nashville’s WSIX. He can be reached at 615-496-5236.

Grand Ole Opry Goes Idol

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Two American institutions will join forces March 17 and 18 for Opry Week on American Idol, and three of country music’s biggest stars — Brad Paisley, Randy Travis and former Idol champ Carrie Underwood — will be appearing on the country-themed edition of the top-rated reality show. Current Idol contestants will also be singing songs made famous by Opry members, while Underwood, Paisley and Travis will take the opportunity to preview their upcoming releases for the massive national viewing audience.

An Opry member for 8 years, reigning ACM and CMA Male Vocalist of the Year Paisley will be making his first-ever Idol appearance during Opry Week and will make the most of the occasion, unveiling his upcoming single, “Then,” a song he previewed for radio executives at last week’s Country Radio Seminar. The song, which is the debut single from Paisley’s upcoming album, American Saturday Night, will be available at online music stores to coincide with his Idol appearance.

Paisley’s labelmate Underwood, of course, is no stranger to the show, having launched her career from the Idol stage back in 2005. Shortly after winning that competition, the singer released her debut album, Some Hearts, which sold over 7 million copies and established the Oklahoma native as one of country music’s first 21st century superstars. She will perform her current hit single, “I Told You So,” as a duet with Travis, who will also serve as “Opry  mentor” for current Idol competitors. While Underwood’s hit version of the Travis classic appears on her sophomore album, Carnival Ride, the two performers have already recorded a duet version of “I Told You So” which is scheduled to arrive at country radio next week. A digital version of the duet single will be available for sale at various online outlets just in time for American Idol’s Opry Week. Underwood has also recorded a cover of Mötley Crüe’s “Home Sweet Home,” which will air each week as the farewell theme for contestants leaving the show. On a related note, Travis’ Idol appearance will coincide with the release of a greatest hits package with the same title. I Told You So: The Ultimate Hits of Randy Travis hits stores on March 17.

She’s returned to the show several times since her victory, but for Underwood, even in a career filled with Platinum awards and accolades, this appearance is something special. “I am always thrilled to return to the Idol stage, and am so proud to this time be bringing with me one of my heroes, Randy Travis,” she said. “I knew the Opry first, but Idol gave me my start and helped lead me to the Opry stage. It’s a great feeling to be able to help bring these two worlds together.”

American Idol airs on FOX Tuesday, March 17, 7:00-9:00 PM CT and Wednesday, March 18, 8:00-9:00 CT.