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DISClaimer Single Reviews (6/20/12)

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Why isn’t country music making more female stars?

I mean, the handwriting is clearly on the wall. Fans of this genre are buying records with voices like Taylor Swift, Jennifer Nettles, Miranda Lambert, Hillary Scott and Carrie Underwood by the millions. Wouldn’t it make sense to produce and promote more women? Instead, I direct you to the current country album chart, dominated by 28 non-million-selling CDs by male artists.

That’s all by way of introducing the fact that Carrie Underwood completely rules this week’s column with an undeniable Disc of the Day performance.

Debbie Cochran, Reggie Shaw

I have two DisCovery Awards to present. The first goes to Reggie Shaw, who has wisely enlisted some stellar Music Row songwriting names to pen his well-performed single. Judging by her lyric, I’m thinking that his fellow winner, Debbie Cochran, isn’t a kid of 20. I’m no age-ist. I still think she’s cool.

DEBBIE COCHRAN/It’s Never Too Late
Writer: Debbie Cochran; Producer: Kent Wells; Publisher: DMC Anniston, BMI; GTR (CDX) (870-307-7685)
—The steel-dominated band kicks up some dust, and the song is a hillbilly-feminist manifesto. Her deep alto singing voice has plain-spoken charm and Southern-accented, forthright honesty. I wish her well.

REGGIE SHAW/Someone I Can’t Live Without
Writer: Eric Durrance/Marc Beeson/Don Pfrimmer; Producer: Bobby Hyatt & Reggie Shaw; Publisher: Drive It Home/Words & Music/Songs of Southside Independent/Wounded Sky/Three Village/EGBG/Wixen. BMI/ASCAP; Wynnsong (CDX) (www.reggieshaw.com)
—This pulsing country rocker boasts a tight arrangement, a clear production and straightforward drive. His vocal about facing a complicated romance rings with conviction. A winner.

TIM McGRAW/Right Back Atcha Babe
Writer: Joe West/David Pohanish; Producer: Byron Gallimore & Tim McGraw; Publisher: Sony-ATV Tree/Songs of My Good Girl/Totally Wrighteous/Big Loud Bucks, BMI; Curb (track)
—Tim’s earnest, romantic vocal lines alternate with cool, “answering” lead-guitar licks by Jerry McPherson for a very involving listening experience. Distinctive and deserving.

SUSAN CATTANEO/Little Big Sky
Writer: Susan Cattaneo/Scarlet Keys; Producer: Jan Stolpe; Publisher: Rockin’ Fairy/Little Jaybird, ASCAP; Jersey Girl (www.susanmusic.com)
—She teaches songwriting at the Berklee College of Music. Doubtless heeding her own advice, she fills this lyric with plenty of true-to-life details. But the production is rather “busy,” and her singing voice isn’t particularly memorable.

KATIE GRACE/Best Bad Girl
Writer: Grace; Producer: Jim Diamond; Publisher: none listed; Inside Outlaws (track)
—The song wanders around aimlessly in search of a hook. Her vocal sounds half asleep. The production is less than demo level.

ANDY GIBSON/Summer Back
Writer: Brian Davis/Andy Gibson/Vicky McGehee; Producer: James Stroud; Publisher: Mike Curb/Godfather Rich/Rich Entertainment/Kobalt/Peermusic II, BMI/ASCAP; Curb
—This former DisCovery Award winner returns with a single that rightly graduates him from indie status to the big leagues. As before, his confident, direct tenor delivery rides atop a super-melodic, uptempo bopper. He has everything it takes to be a star. I remain a fan.

DAVID ST. ROMAIN/Some Things
Writer: none listed; Producer: Shawn Pennington & Steve Pefer; Publisher: Root 49/Cackalacki Twang/Soulride/BPJ/Kristi Mannasongs/Songs of MPR, BMI/ASCAP; DSR (www.davidstromain.com)
—It’s a routine blues vamp. Which is to say, “boring.”

MEGAN REDMOND/Dreamland
Writer: M. Redmond/R. Perry; Producer: Mike Binder; Publisher: Aspen Top, no performance rights listed; MAK Media (track) (www.meganredmond.com)
—The title tune of this Colorado gal’s six-song EP displays definite promise. She knows how to turn a poetic phrase, her folk-inflected voice is sturdy and sincere, and the band is tastefully supportive. Well done.

CARRIE UNDERWOOD/Blown Away
Writer: Josh Kear/Chris Tompkins; Producer: Mark Bright; Publisher: Global Dog/Lunalight/Words & Music/Big Loud Songs/Angel River/Big Loud Bucks, ASCAP; Arista/19 (track) ()
—This rocker roars through a tale of a tornado that destroys a cruel father and a world of bad memories of “home.” Carrie wails it like an Oklahoma banshee on the loose. The gal can sing, the song is tremendous and the production sizzles. Get on board.

LEWIS COPELAND/She’s Got It Going On
Writer: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Nine North/Turnpike Music (www.lewiscopelandmusic.com)
—I’d have mixed his vocal up hotter in the mix, because he sings with passion and commitment. Drums pound and guitars scream, almost burying him. Let the man be heard.

Chesney Shares Fishbowl With Fans

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Welcome to Kenny Chesney’s fishbowl. The superstar is letting fans peak behind the curtain on his latest album, which is his most mature and revealing project to date. He’s marking yesterday’s release of Welcome To The Fishbowl with a huge live-streaming beach concert tonight (6/20), and Saturday (6/23) he’s bringing the party to Nashville’s LP Field with pal Tim McGraw.

Tonight’s event pairs Chesney with renowned filmmaker Jonathan Demme who will direct the 75-minute online concert as part of the American Express Unstaged series. Demme, the man behind the lens of Academy Award winning movies Silence of the Lambs and Philadelphia, will shoot the largest concert ever held on the shores of Wildwood, NJ, a vacation destination with a classic boardwalk, roller coasters and ferris wheel. Watching in person will be 20,000-plus fans, mostly American Express Cardmembers, who received free tickets.

The show will be livestreamed at 8:30 PM ET / 5:30 PM PT at www.YouTube.com/KennyChesneyVEVO, on VEVO’s mobile apps, VEVO Xbox Live app, and the YouTube mobile website. The performance will be rebroadcast for 12 hours.

To encourage social media chatter, fans at the concert in Wildwood and those enjoying the livestream will be able to unlock special enhancements to the show with the increasing number of tweets posted during the performance using designated hashtags.

Others who have participated in Unstaged include Sugarland, who collaborated with Kenny Ortega, and a recent pairing of Jack White and Gary Oldman.

Also this week, Chesney will perform on Late Night With Jimmy Fallon (6/21), and Today’s Toyota Summer Concert Series (6/22). He and Katy Perry will take the stage on Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks Spectacular on NBC.

On Saturday Chesney and Tim McGraw’s Brothers of the Sun tour takes over LP Field for a rockin’ event featuring guests Jake Owen and Grace Potter and the Nocturnals. Chesney’s new album also includes a duet with McGraw, “Feel Like a Rock Star,” but the singer says the party-hearty track stands in contrast to the rest of the collection. Among the vulnerable ballads are “Sing ‘Em Good My Friend,” “Always Gonna Be You,” and “El Cerrito Place.” The latter, penned by Keith Gattis, features background vocals by Potter, who helped make “You and Tequila” a hit. The album, being released via Blue Chair Records/Columbia Nashville, is bookended by intimate tracks “Come Over” and “Always Gonna Be You.”

Chesney, whose sales tally exceeds 30 million units, explains, “There are songs on here I might not have had courage enough to put on a record in the past, but now I feel like it’s essential that I do these kinds of things at this point in my career. I want to be honest with my fans and myself as a songwriter and a creative person. I feel like now, more than ever, I’m comfortable with being authentic, wherever that leads me. I want to take my music and my audience and dig a little deeper, and see if they’ll come along with me.”

YouTube video

BMI Presents Christian Music Awards

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Pictured (L-R): BMI’s Mike O’Neill; Universal Music Publishing Group’s Dale Matthews (accepting Song of the Year Award for Kirk Franklin); Publisher of the Year, EMI CMG Publishing’s Eddie DeGarmo; Christian Songwriters of the Year Kyla Rowland, tobyMac, and Chris Stevens; and BMI’s Jody Williams and Phil Graham.

Broadcast Music, Inc. (BMI) celebrated the songwriters and music publishers behind the past year’s most-performed songs in Christian music last night (6/19) during the organization’s annual Christian Music Awards, held at BMI’s Nashville offices on Music Row.

Consistent chart-topper tobyMac earned his third consecutive Christian Songwriter of the Year crystal and shares the 2012 honor with Casting Crowns frontman Mark Hall, singer/songwriter Matt Maher, Southern gospel staple Kyla Rowland and hit songwriter/producer Chris Stevens. The unusual five-way tie occurred because the hit-makers each wrote or co-wrote two of the songs on the year’s most-performed list.

The Isaacs perform “Why Can’t We."

Cross-format superstar Kirk Franklin earned Christian Song of the Year honors for his smash “I Smile,” published by Aunt Gertrude Music Publishing LLC and Bridge Building Music.

With the highest percentage of copyright ownership among the year’s most-performed songs, powerhouse EMI CMG Publishing clinched the Christian Publisher of the Year win.

During the ceremony, prolific family group the Isaacs, 2012 Dove Awards Artist of the Year Jason Crabb and dynamic contemporary Christian singer/songwriter Chris Tomlin each delivered inspirational performances.

Jody Williams, BMI Vice President, Writer/Publisher Relations, Nashville, and Associate Director Leslie Roberts served as the evening’s hosts alongside Phil Graham, BMI Senior Vice President, Writer/Publisher Relations.

All photos by John Russell

EMI CMG Publishing celebrates its BMI Christian Publisher of the Year title. Pictured (L-R): BMI’s Phil Graham; EMI CMG Publishing’s Eddie DeGarmo; BMI’s Jody Williams; EMI CMG Publishing’s Matt Ewald, Jeremy Ash, Jimi Williams, Casey McGinty; BMI’s Leslie Roberts; and EMI CMG Publishing’s John Thompson.

BMI Christian Awards 2012

Songwriters of the Year
Mark Hall
“Glorious Day (Living He Loved Me)”
“If We’ve Ever Needed You”

Matt Maher
“Hold Us Together”
“I Lift My Hands”

tobyMac
“Hold Me”
“Hold On”

Kyla Rowland
“Did I Mention”
“This Old Sinner Testifies”

Chris Stevens
“Hold Me”
“Stronger”

Song of the Year
“I Smile”
Kirk Franklin
Aunt Gertrude Music Publishing LLC
Bridge Building Music
Kirk Franklin

Publisher of the Year
EMI CMG Publishing
“Better Than A Hallelujah”
“He Wants It All”
“Hold Us Together”
“I Lift My Hands”

Universal Music Publishing accepts Kirk Franklin’s Song of the Year award for “I Smile Do” at the 2012 BMI Christian Music Awards. Pictured (L-R):BMI’s Phil Graham, Universal Music Publishing’s John Andrade, BMI’s Jody Williams, Universal Music Publishing’s Dale Mathews, BMI’s Leslie Roberts, and Universal Music Publishing’s Stacey Wilbur and Eric Hurt.

2012 BMI Christian Awards
Award-Winning Songs

“Better Than A Hallelujah”
Sarah Hart, Chapin Hartford
Chapin Hartford Music/Michael Puryear Music/River Oaks Music Company/Spiritandsong.com Publishing
Amy Grant

“Born Again”
Wesley Campbell, Michael Tait
Don’t Chase Music/Tait Music/Te Puke Publishing
Newsboys

“Did I Mention”
Kyla Rowland
Christian Taylor Music
The Perrys

“Glorious Day (Living He Loved Me)”
Mark Hall
My Refuge Music/Sony/ATV Tree
Casting Crowns

“He Wants It All”
Dominique Jones
Four Jones Publishing/Meaux Mercy Publishing
Forever Jones

“Hold Me”
Toby McKeehan, Chris Stevens
Achtober Songs/Regisfunk Music
Jamie-Grace featuring tobyMac

“Hold On”
Jesse Frasure, Toby McKeehan
Achtober Songs/Rio Bravo Music, Inc.
tobyMac

“Hold Us Together”
Matt Maher, Steve Wilson
Meaux Mercy Publishing/Skyline Apartments Music/Spiritandsong.com Publishing/Worship Together Music
Matt Maher

“I Believe”
Ay’Ron Lewis
Black Smoke Publishing/Straightchurch Publishing
James Fortune And Fiya feat. Zacardi
Cortez & Shawn McLemore

“I Choose To Worship”
Jonathan Brown, Wess Morgan
Wess Morgan Music
Wess Morgan

“I Lift My Hands”
Matt Maher, Chris Tomlin
Valley Of Songs Music/Worship Together Music
Chris Tomlin

“I Smile”
Kirk Franklin
Aunt Gertrude Music Publishing LLC/Bridge Building Music
Kirk Franklin

“If We’ve Ever Needed You”
Mark Hall, Bernie Herms
My Refuge Music/ Sony/ATV Tree
Casting Crowns

“I’ve Never Known A Day”
Van Mitchell, Jr.
True Testament Music
The Inspirations

“Lift Me Up”
Jordan Mohilowski
Miracle In My Hand Music Publishing
The Afters

“Listen To The Sound”
Jason Roy
Havery Publishing/Sony/ATV Tree
Building 429

“My Help Comes From The Lord”
Jon Abel, Barry Weeks
45 Degrees Music/Bridge Building Music
The Museum

“Rain On Us”
Daniel Moore, II; Daniel Moore, Sr.
Dem Two Music/S4Dt Publishing
Earnest Pugh

“Somebody Died For Me”
Kyle Matthews, Christy Sutherland
Catalytic Songs/Mattmoosic
Triumphant Quartet

“Starry Night”
Ed Cash
Alletrop Music
Chris August

“Stronger”
Chris Stevens
Regisfunk Music
Mandisa

“This Old Sinner Testifies”
Kyla Rowland
Christian Taylor Music/Lonesome Bend Publishing
The Perrys

“You Love Me Anyway”
Dave Frey, Ben McDonald
Dayspring Music
Sidewalk Prophets

“You Were Faithful Yesterday”
Rodney Griffin
Songs Of Greater Vision
Greater Vision

“Your Great Name”
Michael Neale
Integrity’s Praise! Music
Natalie Grant

(L-R): Chris Tomlin, BMI’s Jody Williams, Jason Crabb, Jason Roy of Building 429, Susan Stewart of NARAS, Brandon Heath, and Provident Label Group’s Blaine Barcus.

UMG, NMPA Deal Covers Videos on YouTube, Vevo

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The NMPA has reached an agreement with Universal Music Group, where UMG will pay songwriters and music publishers when music videos of their songs are played on YouTube and Vevo. UMG is the first major label to reach a licensing agreement of this kind, traditionally songwriters and publishers weren’t paid for video plays, which were considered promotional uses.

NMPA publishers who opt into the North American agreement will grant synchronization rights for music videos, and, in return, receive royalties from the videos based on a percentage of UMG’s receipts. Both Vevo, which is owned in part by UMG, and YouTube are ad supported sites.

Under the agreement, UMG will also provide songwriter and publisher compensation for ringtones, dual disc, multi-session audio and locked content products.

The agreement, which will be administered by the HFA, is retroactive for past use of musical works in UMG’s music videos.

Additional details will become available in the coming weeks, however Billboard reports the deal, which extends to concert footage, backstage videos and artist interviews, will pay 10% of advertising revenue from 2008-09 and 15% from 2010-present.

NMPA President and CEO, David Israelite, commented:

We’re all navigating through a rapidly changing business environment. The agreement announced today is an important first step in resolving industry-wide music video issues. UMG deserves credit for being the first record label to partner with the entire songwriting and music publishing community through this model licensing deal. We have raised the issue with [the other majors] and will now turn our attention to pursuing similar agreements. We intend to enforce our rights.

Laying A Legend To Rest

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Frances Williams Preston departed the community she nurtured with the same grace and class she displayed when she was living in it.

The Music Row icon, Country Music Hall of Fame member and legendary BMI executive was fondly remembered at a visitation Sunday (6/17) at the Country Music Hall of Fame’s Rotunda and eulogized Monday at funeral services conducted at First Lutheran Church in downtown Nashville. She died of congestive heart failure at age 83 on Wednesday morning, June 13.

The Rev. Becca Stevens, who co-officiated at the funeral with the Rev. Brian Hooper, likened the passing of Frances Preston to the falling of a mighty oak tree. Stevens is married to BMI songwriter Marcus Hummon, and she recalled the many occasions when Preston treated them so warmly at BMI banquets. She told the attendees how blessed they had been to have known such greatness.

“On the eighth day of Creation, God created music,” said Stevens. “Frances carried music to the farthest corners of the world.”

Vince Gill reflected that Preston was powerful, but that she wielded her power with grace and kindness. He sang “Go Rest High on That Mountain” in honor of his fellow Country Music Hall of Fame member.

Soprano Terri Richter provided some of the funeral service’s most memorable music. She sang “Ave Maria,” “O Divine Redeemer” and an a cappella “The Lord’s Prayer” and led the congregational singing of “Amazing Grace.”

Deanna Loveland performed harp instrumentals as mourners entered the sanctuary. Organist Mark Beall played “O God Be Merciful to Me” and “A Mighty Fortress” as Preludes to the service.

The church was decorated with massive white floral arrangements. The church bulletin’s cover was a reproduction of an abstract oil painting by the deceased’s late brother Doug Williams, also depicting a flower arrangement.

More than 300 Music Row dignitaries attended, including Preston’s fellow Hall of Fame members Emmylou Harris, Jo Walker Meador, Brenda Lee and Harold Bradley. The mourners also included Gary Morris, Steve Cropper, Oak Ridge Boys Duane Allen and William Lee Golden, Michael Bolton, Amy Grant, Ray Stevens, Deborah Allen, Norro Wilson, Roger Murrah, Layng Martine, Dennis Morgan, Paul Kennerley, David Conrad, Tony Brown, David & Carolyn Corlew, Roy Wunsch & Mary Ann McCready, Jim Halsey, Kyle Young, Joe Galante, Troy Tomlinson, Jim Free, Dick Gary, Bob & Laura Heatherly, Ansel Davis, Bill Denny and many of the deceased’s BMI colleagues.

At Sunday’s visitation, BMI songwriters including Paul Overstreet, Lee Clayton, Marshall Chapman, Hugh Prestwood and Jon Tiven reflected alongside Jim Foglesong, Dane Bryant, Evelyn Shriver, Sen. Doug Henry, John & Delores Seigenthaler, Rose Drake, Susan Nadler, Mark Wright and John Esposito. Frances Williams Preston is only the second person to have laid in repose in the Rotunda. Eddy Arnold was the first, in 2008.

As visitors entered the Hall of Fame’s lobby on Sunday, they were greeted by large floral tributes sent by Willie Nelson, Blake Shelton & Miranda Lambert, the Country Music Association, Vince Gill & Amy Grant, the Nashville Songwriters Association and more. Singer-songwriter Joe South sent a lavender satin pillow surrounded by lavender roses. Its inscription read simply and eloquently, “She saw the light.”

Frances Williams Preston was laid to rest with a graveside ceremony at Spring Hill Cemetery on Monday afternoon.

Leadership Music Names Class of 2013

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Forty-five new members have been selected to participate in the 24th class of Leadership Music. The annual program is designed to create a forum for established music community leaders to identify and explore issues currently affecting the music industry.

“The Leadership Music Class of 2013 is an impressive group of industry professionals with a wealth of experience and expertise from a diverse field of music businesses,” said Jamie Cheek, managing partner at Flood, Bumstead, McCready & McCarthy, who, as immediate past president of the board of directors, chaired the committee. “Once again, the selection committee has done an outstanding job in selecting members for a great Leadership Music class, and I am certain all will find the eight month experience enlightening and rewarding.”

Members of the Class of 2013 are: Rachel Barnhard, Digital Marketing, Borman Entertainment; Anthony Barton, Sr. VP, CMT; Holly Bell, Sr. VP, City National Bank; Teddi Bonadies, General Manager, Rodeowave Entertainment; David Boyer, Associate Business Manager, Flood, Bumstead, McCready, & McCarthy; Craig Campbell, President, Campbell Entertainment Group; Sarah Cates, Sr. Director, Curb College Initiatives, Belmont University; Misty Cochran, Director of Advertising and Promotions, Nashville Symphony; George Couri, President/Owner, Triple 8 Management (Austin, TX); Tiffany Dunn, Sr. Counsel, Loeb & Loeb; Marghie Evans, Managing Partner, Do Write Music; Nicole Gaia, President/Owner, NPG PR; Mary Forest Findley, VP, Sales and Marketing, Country Aircheck; Blair Garner, Host, After MidNite, Premiere Radio Networks; Jim Griffin, Managing Director, OneHouse (The Plains, VA); Chris Harris, Artist Manager, Rainmaker Management; Aaron Hartley, Sr. Manager of Administration, CMA; Frank Hernandez, Opera Singer; Jeremy Holley, VP, Consumer and Interactive Marketing, Warner Music Group; Honey Hopkins, Director, Music City Music Council; Tim Hunze, Owner/Partner, Parallel Music Publishing; Jennifer Jacobsen, VP, Industry and Government Relations, Sony Music Entertainment, (Washington, DC); Brian Jones, VP, Bobby Roberts Company; Thomm Jutz, Owner, TJ Tunes; Kelly King, Owner, King Pen Music/Rascal Flatts Entertainment; Will Korioth, Owner, WhiteWater Amphitheatre (New Braunfels, TX); Justin Levenson, Manager, Licensing Operations, SESAC; Jim McCormick, Staff Songwriter, BMG Chrysalis; Marc Meisel, Executive Producer, Prime Ventures (Gainesville, FL); Aaron Mercer, Sr. Director, Commercial Music Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing; Ellen Meyer, President, Watkins College of Art, Design & Film; Cassie Petrey, Owner, Crowd Surf; Stacey Portnoy, Marketing Manager, Samsung (Bellevue, WA); Laurie Pozmantier, Agent, William Morris Endeavor Entertainment (Los Angeles, CA); Jeff Price, CEO/Founder, TuneCore (Brooklyn, NY); Brooke Primero, Sr. VP, PR and Marketing, ACM (Los Angeles, CA); Scott Register, Head of A&R, Think Indie Distribution/Birmingham Mountain Radio (Birmingham, AL); Paula Roberts, Executive Director, National Museum of African American Music; Paul Roper, President, Dualtone Records; John Shackleford, Managing Partner, Shackleford, Melton & McKinley (Dallas, TX); Lesly Tyson, VP, Promotion, Sony Music Nashville; Don VanCleave, General Manager, The Artists Organization; Jeff Van Driel, Director, Business and Legal affairs, Naxos of America; Brian Wagner, Marketing Manager, Ryman Auditorium; Colin Willis, Sr. VP, Sales and Business Development, Next Big Sound.

Weekly Chart Report (6/15/12)

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WMN’s Brett Eldredge poses with VP CBS Radio/WUSN PD Jeff Kapugi (R) after a performance at Chicago’s downtown Joe’s Pub for IL Governor Pat Quinn

SPIN ZONE
In the post CMA Music Fest CountryBreakout Chart, Toby Keith’s “Beers Ago” remains unseated from the No. 1 spot, followed by Brantley Gilbert’s “You Don’t Know Her Like I Do.” Dierks Bentley’s “5-1-5-0” moves up to No. 3, followed by The Band Perry’s “Postcard From Paris” at No. 4 and Keith Urban’s “For You” at No. 5.

Texas artist Hudson Moore (L), kicked off his regional Texas/Oklahoma radio tour this week to promote his new single “Fireworks.” Moore is pictured with Barry Diamon (R), afternoon DJ at KITX/Hugo, OK.

It’s a pretty tight chart overall but interesting things are happening. Gloriana is working on one of the biggest hits of its career with “(Kissed You) Good Night,” which moves up to No. 7. Newcomer Thomas Rhett is already off to a great start with “Something To Do With My Hands,” which is at No. 10 and gaining. Phil Vassar is back in heavy rotation with “Don’t Miss Your Life” at No. 11 and Love and Theft is making a strong comeback with “Angel Eyes” at No. 12. And floating at No. 20 with a 265 spin increase, Little Big Town might have a little big ole summer hit on its hands with “Pontoon.”

Miranda Lambert’s “Fastest Girl In Town” makes a very speedy debut at No. 47. Also making a strong first appearance is Trace Adkins’ “Them Lips (On Mine)” at No. 68.

Frozen Playlists: KSED, KXBZ, WJVL

KFGE CELEBRATES LEE
Froggy 98/KFGE in Lincoln, Nebraska threw a big party called “Celebrate Lincoln” last Saturday night (6/9) with performers Randy Houser and Lee Brice. It was Brice’s birthday and the station presented him with a birthday cake and 11,000 people sang to him. See the video below:

YouTube video

Upcoming Singles
June 18
Gwen Sebastian/Met Him In A Motel Room/Flying Island
Craig Morgan/Corn Star/Black River
Casey James/Crying On A Suitcase/19/BNA
Denae Gardner/Welcome to America/4D Records
Wayne Warner/Dare The World/B-Venturous

June 25
Trace Adkins/Them Lips (On Mine)/Show Dog-Universal
Miranda Lambert/Fastest Girl In Town/RCA
Maggie Rose/I Ain’t Your Mama/RPM
Stephanie Grace/Hey There

• • •

New On The Chart—Debuting This Week
Artist/song/label — chart pos.
Miranda Lambert/Fastest Girl In Town/RCA Nashville – 47
Trace Adkins/Them Lips (On Mine)/Show Dog-Universal – 68
Lathan Moore/Nothin Like A Woman/Render Records – 78
Bobby Dean/Me and George Strait/Lamon – 79
Daniel Smith/Sometimes Love – 80

Greatest Spin Increase
Artist/song/label — spin+
Zac Brown Band/The Wind/Southern Ground-Atlantic – 597
Kenny Chesney/Come Over/Blue Chair-Columbia Nashville – 430
Miranda Lambert/Fastest Girl In Town/RCA Nashville – 394
Blake Shelton/Over/Warner Bros. – 361
Love and Theft/Angel Eyes/RCA Nashville – 357

Most Added
Artist/song/label — New Adds
Zac Brown Band/The Wind/Southern Ground-Atlantic – 39
Miranda Lambert/Fastest Girl In Town/RCA-Nashville – 36
Trace Adkins/Them Lips (On Mine)/Show Dog-Universal – 17
Gwen Sebastian/Met Him In A Motel Room/Flying Island – 14
Love and Theft/Angel Eyes/RCA Nashville – 13
Hank Williams Jr./That Ain’t Good/Blaster Records – 11
Big & Rich /That’s Why I Pray/Warner Bros. – 11
Taylor Made/Some Things You Never Grow Out Of – 9
Heidi Newfield/Why’d You Have To Be So Good/Sidewalk Records – 8

On Deck—Soon To Be Charting
Artist/song/label — spins
Michael Dean Church/That’s How We Roll/MDC – 148
Tim Dugger/God For A Day/Curb – 140
David Frizzell/Say Hello To Heaven/Nashville America – 140
Casey James/Crying On A Suitcase/19-Columbia Nashville – 135
Britt & Blaire/Young Summer/Mt. Juliet Records – 128

David Frizzell stopped by WPAP/Panama City supporting his single, "Say Hello To Heaven," as part of a national awareness campaign for Mothers Against Drunk Driving. The song lands 'On Deck' in this week’s CountryBreakout Chart. Frizzell's book on the life of his brother Lefty, was recently nominated for an Award of Excellence by the Association for Recorded Sound Collections. (L-R): Tom Lewis (Panama City/WPAP, Frizzell, Jimmy Carter (historian/reporter)

EMI Records Nashville artist Kelleigh Bannen continues her promotion tour across the country, stopping to play for WUBL/Atlanta, GA this week. (L-R): Trudie Daniell (EMI Nashville Director of Southeast Promotion), Brian Michel (WUBL PD), Bannen, Brad Uhlmann (WUBL), Lance Houston (WUBL APD/MD)

Way Out West Records' LiveWire dropped by 95.3 KDKD in Clinton, MO to promote new single, "Gone (Remix)" from the group’s forthcoming debut album. The single lands at No. 54 on this week’s CountryBreakout Chart. (L-R): LW's Bobby DeGonia and Cory Shultz, "Dr" Dave (KDKD Drivetime Personality), LW's Danny Bell and Adam Hagerman

Somethin’ ‘Bout The First No. 1

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Pictured (L-R): Red Light Management’s Shawn McSpadden, BMG Chrysalis Music’s Kevin Lane, Cornman Music’s Brett James, Kip Moore, co-writer Dan Couch, BMI’s Jody Williams, and MCA Nashville’s Mike Dungan. Photo: Steve Lowry

The show must go on, and the late Frances Preston wouldn’t have wanted it any other way. BMI toasted the No. 1 hit “Somethin’ ‘Bout A Truck” yesterday (6/13), the same day as the passing of its legendary leader.

Jody Williams discussed her devotion to songwriters at the opening of the ceremony. He explained, “The first thing Frances would say about today is, ‘get that party started and honor those songwriters.’” Flags flapped at half-staff above the crowd gathered on BMI’s sunny rooftop.

Penning a charttopping song is a grand achievement for any writer, but the first time is often the sweetest. “Truck” is the first No. 1 for songwriters Kip Moore and Dan Couch, and is also Moore’s first No. 1 as an artist. BMI presented him with a guitar to mark the occasion. The song, which hung out at the radio pinnacle for two weeks, is well on its way to Platinum download status.

Mike Dungan was also celebrating a first. “Truck” is his first No. 1 as leader of UMG Nashville. “I’m getting lots of nods, but I’ve had nothing to do with it,” he said, turning the spotlight to his label team. Ever the colorful character, Dungan took the opportunity to hand out his own unique prizes. Moore received a tie-dyed T-shirt that said “Get F*&%@d,” Couch’s trophy was a Richie Sambora figurine, and producer Brett James was honored with a lifesize Jonas Brothers cardboard stand-up.

James has shepherded younger tunesmith Moore for years. “He’s my little brother and he’s one of my best friends,” said James before presenting Moore with a small body road guitar. James took the usual honors one step further, giving plaques to engineers Nick Brophy and Ben Fowler, as well as Nate Lowery, who operates his publishing outfit Cornman Music.

Several others took the stage to honor the writers. Avenue Bank’s Ron Cox presented a donation to the Muscular Dystrophy Association on their behalf. Brandi Simms represented the CMA.

The mood turned emotional when Couch and Moore swapped turns at the mic, choking back tears as they savored the hard earned moment. Couch recalled his 16-year journey and how his family supported his career. His hometown even cheered his success recently when the mayor of Logansport, Ind. declared it “Dan Couch Day.”

“I’m more nervous now than when I played the stadium the other night,” exclaimed Moore, who performed last weekend at CMA Music Festival. He acknowledged James’ patience while helping him develop as an artist and writer. “In an instant world, Brett has stood by me,” he said gratefully.

Partygoers munched on a spread of mini hot dogs, black bean burgers, chips and canned beer—perfect food for a “Truck” tailgate party.

Arrangements Set For Legendary Music Exec. Frances Preston

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Frances Preston in 2007. Photo: Richard Patire

Visitation for family, friends and colleagues will be held Sun., June 17, from 5 to 9 p.m. at the Country Music Hall of Fame, where Mrs. Preston will lie in repose in the Rotunda.

A private funeral will take place at First Lutheran Church, with a private graveside service and burial to follow at Nashville’s Landmark Spring Hill Cemetery.
 Spring Hill Funeral Home & Cemetery (5110 Gallatin Road, 615-865-1101) is handling the arrangements.

Active pallbearers will be Tom Annastas, Devoran Atwood, Fred Cannon, Dennis DiTraglia, Buckland Farnor, Dr. David Hansen, Bobby Kelley, Stan Moress, Roger Sovine and Harry Warner. Honorary pallbearers are Phil Graham, Mike O’Neill, Alison Smith, Faye Smith and Jody Williams.

Memorial contributions may be made to the T. J. Martell Foundation (15 Music Sq. W., 
Nashville, TN 37203, 615-256-2002); or the Frances Williams Preston Laboratories at the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center (2301 Vanderbilt Place, c/o Gifts Processing PMB 407727, Nashville, TN 37240-7727, 615-936-0233).

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Legendary music executive Frances Williams Preston died June 13, at 4 a.m. She passed peacefully at home from congestive heart failure. She was 83.

Preston served as President and CEO of BMI from 1986 until 2004. She founded the company’s Nashville office, initially working from her parent’s home as a young woman. That led to a six-decade career with the performing rights organization, where she headed Nashville operations and later served as president of the company headquartered in New York. Preston retired from BMI in 2004 and returned to Nashville full time in 2007.

Del Bryant, BMI’s current President & CEO, says, “Frances Williams Preston was a force of nature. She was smart, beautiful, tenacious, and generous. She put BMI on the culture map and shaped the careers of many—especially mine. Though we mourn the loss of a great leader and friend, she lives on through a legacy that is literally set in stone. The BMI Nashville building and her wing at Vanderbilt Hospital and are two monuments that were erected by her and stand in tribute to her passion and drive for those she loved. God speed, dear friend.”

She was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1992, and later became a member of the Gospel Music Hall of Fame and the Broadcasting & Cable Hall of Fame.

Born in Nashville on August 27, 1928, Frances Williams began her career as a receptionist at WSM, Nashville’s iconic radio station. She rose quickly through the station’s ranks, eventually hosting her own fashion show on air.

According to a recent article by Kay West in the Nashville City Paper, Preston was in college studying to become a teacher when she took a summer job with National Life Insurance, owner of WSM and the Grand Ole Opry. She went on to become the radio station’s receptionist. Through that role she met Bob Burton, Senior VP of BMI in New York, during his frequent business trips to Nashville, and he tapped her in 1958 to open the organization’s Southern regional office.

By 1964 she had elevated to Vice President. BMI’s vital base of operations in Nashville helped pave the way for the city’s future as the world’s most important center for professional songwriting. In 1985, she rose to Senior Vice President, Performing Rights, and was named President and CEO the following year.

According to Jody Williams, BMI, VP Writer/Publisher Relations, Nashville, “Frances Preston helped shape the music business ecosystem through her profound respect for songwriters and mentorship of several generations of executives. She is without a doubt the single most important figure responsible for making Nashville ‘Music City.'”

She was the first female executive on Nashville’s fledgling Music Row, joining BMI shortly before her friend, Jo Walker-Meador, was named to lead the Country Music Association. Preston became the first woman to serve as board chairman of the CMA. She was reportedly the first female corporate executive in Tennessee. She continued paving the way for women throughout her life. Preston was the first non-performing woman invited to join New York’s prestigious Friar’s Club, and in 1993 she became the first woman appointed to its board of directors.

Preston was a driven and devoted advocate for songwriters and their rights. Kris Kristofferson dubbed her the “songwriter’s guardian angel.”
 She was a powerful force in Washington, D.C., where she testified on the behalf of songwriters and played an instrumental role in several key initiatives, including the Copyright Amendments Act of 1992, which extended copyright protection to older compositions. She was also a leading supporter of the decision to extend the copyright term to life of the composer plus 70 years.

Preston served as a member of the Panama Canal Study Committee as well as on the commission for the White House Record Library during the administration of President Jimmy Carter. In 1995 and 1996, she was a member of Vice President Al Gore’s National Information Infrastructure Advisory Council.

She was a devoted community servant, working as president of the board of directors of the T. J. Martell Foundation for Leukemia, Cancer and AIDS Research. The Frances Williams Preston Research Laboratories at Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center is named in her honor.

In 1998, she received a National Trustees Award from the Recording Academy (the highest Grammy prize for a non-performer), MIDEM’s Person of the Year accolade in 1999 (the highest international award accorded to a music industry executive), the National Association of Broadcasters’ Education Foundation Guardian Award in 2005, Leadership Music’s Dale Franklin Award in 2007, and the Nashville Songwriter Foundation’s Mentor Award in 2010. Last year, the Library of American Broadcasting Association named her to its elite Giants of Broadcasting honoree ranks, and BMI rechristened the BMI Country Song of the Year the BMI Frances W. Preston Award.

“We’ve lost our beloved Frances Preston,” said Dolly Parton. “She was the heart of BMI, not only for me but for every BMI writer. She was a great leader and a great friend to us all. Frances, you were very loved and you will be truly missed.”

Survivors include three sons William Kirk Preston, David J. Preston and wife Emily, and Donald L. Preston, all of Nashville; six grandchildren, Taylor Preston, Lindsey Preston, Jake Preston, Matthew Preston, Stuart Preston, and Frannie Daughrity and husband Brent; and great-granddaughter, Preston Rose Daughrity.

Preston signing Dolly Parton to BMI in the late 1960s. (seated) Porter Wagoner and Dolly Parton. Standing Bill Earl Owens, and Preston. Photo: BMI.com

Weekly Register: Are Faster Radio Charts Speeding Country Sales?

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Skip Bishop, Larry Pareigis

Country YTD album sales are up 5.8% this year, which compares nicely with the overall industry’s not-so-pretty deficit of -2.9%. Could country’s energetic showing be connected with a change in the speed of songs traveling up and down the radio charts?

During country’s early ‘90s hey day, the genre’s charts bustled with songs moving up and down in rapid fire fashion as opposed to the congestion we have seen more recently. Artists could release three and sometimes four singles in one year. During those golden years, country radio played a higher percentage of current songs vs. older or recurrent titles, creating added airtime inventory for new music. Consumer familiarity with more singles in less time, translated to increased album and ticket sales.

A quick look at recent charts supports the idea that chart cycles might be starting to trend faster, again. Look at these recent No. 1 songs from the last six weeks atop Billboard’s Country List. Four artists rose to the top in 20 weeks or less. Only newcomer Kip Moore took the scenic 33-week route!

May 7: Miranda Lambert— 20 wks
May 14: Jason Aldean— 20 wks
May 21/29: Kip Moore— 33 wks
June 4: Carrie Underwood— 15 wks
June 11: Eric Church— 19 wks

But experienced promotion executive Skip Bishop, recently Sr. VP Promotion for Sony Nashville, isn’t convinced by the recent numbers. “The quickening of the chart is an illusion,” Bishop believes. “What you are seeing (in most cases) are singles from superstar acts being ingested to a higher rotation faster. Because of PPM methodology, programmers are relying more on very familiar hot acts to be on the radio when their P1s tune in. On the other hand it seems that the process for developing acts is actually taking even longer, up to 40 weeks due to the log jam at the top. It isn’t necessarily bad. If you have a young act that is working and driving downloads, the slow journey to the top can be a blessing to artist development!”

Nine North Records/Turnpike Music President Larry Pareigis, whose country airplay experience includes the wilder, faster ‘90s and current times, is also hesitant to pronounce today’s charts as “speeding up.” “As Kip’s 33-week path illustrates,” says Pareigis, “the road is still a long one for debut artists, whether on majors or indies. The chart has been faster—always been faster in fact—for major, established acts like Miranda and Aldean. The big 7-9 artists in the format at any given time are the exception rather than the rule.”

Are faster charts an illusion, exception to the rule, or simply a wish to return to a golden age? The answer is not yet clear, but what is verifiable is that country music sales have a nine-point spread ahead of all-genre sales and a 12.8% market share which compares nicely with 11.8% market share for the same period last year.

Sale-ing Along
Country album sales are up almost 6% and positive in all categories across our weekly grid snapshot. We’re coming off an incredible week for the format, with CMA’s Music Fest showing record attendance, the CMT Music Awards getting great ratings, a variety of major country tours selling arenas and stadiums plus album debuts from Alan Jackson and Jana Kramer. Have fortunes and futures for country music ever been better?

The answer to that depends upon whether we look at revenue streams overall, (especially touring, merch and endorsements) or focus primarily on product sales. From a multi-year sales standpoint, things are not really that rosy. For example, with all the above excitement and two debut albums, the Top 75 Current Country Albums chart fails to break the 400k barrier this week measuring in with a weak 364k. What’s worse, that is quite an improvement from last week when the total was a tepid 287k! Some observers would say that unless a new business model is crafted, shops currently depending upon music sales might find in the not too distant future that product sales will become inconsequential as a revenue stream for all but a very few artists.

So there’s the medicine, now let’s find a few positives to highlight.

Alan Jackson’s new set, (getting strong critical praise) strolls into the No. 1 spotlight with almost 73k units this week, (15% digital). He graces the No. 2 rung on the all-genre Top 200 ladder, behind Adele. The traditionalist also beats debuts from Beach Boys (No. 3), Neil Young (No.4) and Big K.R.I.T. (No. 5).

Jana Kramer, buoyed by her TV base and new country fans makes a nice Current Country debut in the No. 5 position with over 16k units (59% digital). The remainder of the Country Top 10 albums seem strangely unaffected by the week’s events with five titles showing mild, but negative sales moves.

In country trackland Luke Bryan is sailing with a strong wind, moving his “Drunk On You” to No. 1 with almost 109k units. Little Big Town’s “Pontoon” leaps up 202% to No. 2 with over 81k units. No doubt the jump comes as a result of the quartet’s hypnotic performance and incredible houseboat set on the CMT Awards.

In closing we turn to the #laughoutloud department and WMN’s sales division.. John Esposito and Peter Strickland’s merry band of marketers proved that if they don’t wear the pants, at least they own them. The mischievous mavens peppered the Row yesterday with pants of all colors and sizes to recognize the release of the label’s Jimmy Fallon comedy album, Blow Your Pants Off.