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MusicRow Reveals Rising Women Honorees

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MusicRow is proud to announce the inaugural Rising Women on the Row honors will be presented to Mary Hilliard Harrington, Shannan Hatch, Heather McBee, Denise Stevens and Carla Wallace.

“It’s an honor to recognize these five accomplished women who have made such substantial contributions to the Nashville music industry, and continue to rise in their achievements,” says MusicRow Publisher/Owner Sherod Robertson. “We are fortunate to be able to offer an event where we can gather to celebrate these honorees, as well as salute all women in our industry, whose efforts greatly contribute to its success.”

This year’s honorees will be feted at a private sit-down breakfast and ceremony set for Friday, March 16, 2012, 8:30 a.m. at Maggiano’s Little Italy. Due to high demand, no additional tickets are available at this time. To be put on a waiting list, email tickets@musicrow.com.

The Rising Women on the Row breakfast joins other annual events hosted by MusicRow, including the CRS Meet & Greet and CountryBreakout Awards, and the reader-voted MusicRow Awards.

Mary Hilliard Harrington

Mary Hilliard Harrington—President, The GreenRoom
Harrington’s self-built publicity company reps major stars including Jason Aldean, Lady Antebellum, Dierks Bentley, and many more. Her multifaceted office also handles day-to-day management for Bentley. She serves on the Country Music Association board of directors, and the Academy of Country Music board of directors.

Shannan Hatch

Shannan Hatch—Senior Director, Writer/Publisher Relations, SESAC
During her tenure with SESAC, Hatch has signed hit songwriters including Monty Powell, Craig Campbell, Jon Stone and Rob Hatch. She joined the organization in 2002 and was promoted to her current post in January 2011. Hatch also handles SESAC-sponsored events including Tin Pan South, and the Key West Songwriters Festival. She is involved with the Miller Harris Foundation and Musicians On Call.

Heather McBee

Heather McBee—Vice President, Artist Development/Marketing & Web Initiatives, Sony Music Nashville
McBee strives to find innovative ways to market Sony Music artists, and works to guide the label group through the digital music space. She interned with the label while attending Belmont University and has risen through the ranks. McBee was promoted to her current post in December 2011. She is also a Leadership Music alumna.

Denise Stevens

Denise Stevens—Senior Counsel, Loeb & Loeb
Stevens’ legal work includes drafting The Songwriters Capital Gains Tax Equity Act for client NSAI, as well as due diligence review and analysis of Warner Music Group’s sale to Access Industries. Her clients include Carrie Underwood, Wynonna, Loretta Lynn, Amy Grant, Third Day and Switchfoot. She is a Leadership Music alumna, and serves on the GMA Foundation board.

Carla Wallace

Carla Wallace—Co-Owner, VP Creative, Big Yellow Dog Music
Wallace oversees day-to-day operations of this publishing company, which she launched in 1998 with co-owner Kerry O’Neil. In recent years, the company scored big with landmark hits “Need You Now” and “Before He Cheats.” Big Yellow Dog received ASCAP’s Global Impact Award in 2011. Wallace is a Leadership Music alumna, and is involved with NARAS and the Nashville Humane Association.

Symphony Fashion Show Shines With Oscar de la Renta, Carrie Underwood

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Select gowns in Oscar de la Renta's Pre-Fall 2012 collection. Photo: Nashville Symphony

Carrie Underwood at last night's event. Photo: Royce DeGrie

Fashion is where art meets life, and last night (2/28) Nashville experienced the effect first hand.

The exclusive preview of acclaimed designer Oscar de la Renta’s Pre-Fall 2012 collection concluded with a performance by Carrie Underwood—a frequent face on best-dressed lists. Backed by a full band, she offered a three-song acoustic set including brand new single “Good Girl,” and hits “Undo It” and “Before He Cheats.”

Storme Warren hosted the sold-out fundraiser for the Symphony’s education initiatives, an annual event which attracts Music City socialites dressed in their fashion-forward finest. This year organizers teamed with Nordstrom to present the evening.

The Schermerhorn is a gorgeous backdrop for a runway showcase. The Symphony’s string ensemble opened the event. A DJ spinning dance mixes of Coldplay’s “Paradise” and other tracks upped the tempo as a series of models in striking black and white designs started the fashion parade. More bold patterns followed, as well as brightly colored solids—some of the coming season’s hottest hues are cranberry and electric blue.

De la Renta’s collection ranges from casual, cozy sweaters to formal gowns in shades of muted gold and soft pinks. Several show-stopping dresses drew applause from the crowd.

The evening continued with an exclusive dinner across the street at the Pinnacle Building, attended by patrons who supported the cause with $300 tickets. Less expensive tickets were available and included cocktail hour and the fashion show.

Underwood and band in front of the de la Renta backdrop. Photo: Royce DeGrie

Weekly Chart Report (3/2/2012)

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Martina McBride, who currently has the CountryBreakout No. 1 song with "I'm Gonna Love You Through It," recently played the BOK Center in Tulsa and visited with Vanessa Valli of KWEY/Weatherford, OK.

SPIN ZONE
There is considerable chart movement in the post Country Radio Seminar shuffle, resulting in a new CountryBreakout No. 1 song for Martina McBride’s “I’m Gonna Love You Through It.” Martina’s anthem of devotion actually has a slight down-tick in spins, but more than enough to stay on top as older singles rotate out. Making a big leap to No. 2 from 7 is Lady Antebellum’s “Dancin’ Away With My Heart,” thanks to a 226 spin gain. Taylor Swift’s “Ours” is up to No. 3, followed by Blake Shelton’s “Drink On It” and Jake Owen’s “Alone With You.”

Capitol’s Luke Bryan and EMI Nashville’s Eric Church also excel in the spins department, each tacking on an additional 500-plus plays for “Drunk On You” and “Springsteen,” respectively. And somehow Carrie Underwood trumps them both, as her new single “Good Girl” picks up nearly 1000 spins to debut at No. 29–one of our highest chart bows ever. Underwood and team smartly debuted the song during CRS and programmers are responding favorably as they freshen their lists. Also getting big spin gains are Rascal Flatts’ “Banjo” at No. 9, Zac Brown Band’s “No Hurry” at No. 14 and Jason Aldean’s “Fly Over States” at No. 16.

Underwood’s debut leads a whole pack of new entries, including Easton Corbin’s “Lovin’ You Is Fun” at No. 69. Also appearing are Darryl Worley’s “You Still Got It” at No. 75, Jon Wolfe’s “I Don’t Dance” at No. 78, Kix Brooks’ “New To This Town” at No. 79, and Shooter Jennings’ “The Deed and the Dollar” at No. 80. Right outside the Top 80, poised to debut next week are Matt Kennon’s “You Had To Pick On Me,” and The McClymonts’ “I Could Be A Cowboy.”

Frozen Playlists: KBCR, KVVP, KYKX, KZTL KZZY WAAG, WZMR

Upcoming Singles
March 5
James Wesley/Walking Contradiction/Broken Bow
Hunter Hayes/Wanted/Atlantic/WMN
Aaron Lewis/Endless Summer/R&J
David Nail/The Sound of a Million Dreams/MCA
Kentucky Headhunters/Great Acoustics/Red Dir

March 12
Sonia Leigh/Bar/Southern Ground/Quarterback
Glen Templeton/Sing That Song Again/Black River
Josh Abbot Band/Touch/PDT
Joanna Smith/We Can’t Be Friends/Columbia

• • • • •

New On The Chart—Debuting This Week
Artist/song/label — chart pos.
Carrie Underwood/Good Girl/19 Recordings/Arista – 29
Easton Corbin/Lovin’ You Is Fun/Mercury – 69
Darryl Worley/You Still Got It/Tenacity – 75
Jon Wolfe/I Don’t Dance – 78
Kix Brooks/New To This Town/Arista – 79
Shooter Jennings/The Deed And The Dollar/eOne – 80

Greatest Spin Increase
Artist/song/label — spin+
Carrie Underwood/Good Girl/19 Recordings/Arista – 987
Eric Church/Springsteen/EMI Nashville – 517
Luke Bryan/Drunk On You/Capitol – 501
Jason Aldean/Fly Over States/Broken Bow – 388
Rascal Flatts/Banjo/Big Machine – 276

Most Added
Artist/song/label — New Adds
Carrie Underwood/Good Girl/19 Recordings/Arista — 64
Luke Bryan/Drunk On You/Capitol — 25
Eric Church/Springsteen/EMI Nashville — 14
Easton Corbin/Lovin’ You Is Fun/Mercury — 13
Thompson Square/Glass/Stoney Creek — 13
Thomas Rhett/Something To Do With My Hands/Valory — 11
Kix Brooks/New To This Town/Arista — 11
Dustin Lynch/Cowboys And Angels/Broken Bow Records — 8
Aaron Lewis/Endless Summer/R & J Records — 8

On Deck—Soon To Be Charting
Artist/song/label — spins
Matt Kennon/You Had To Pick On Me/Roaddawg – 191
The McClymonts/I Could Be A Cowboy/BSM Music – 188
Levi Riggs/My Best Friend’s A Girl/Windridge Records – 188
One Night Rodeo/We Could Go To Jail / – 167
Acklen Park/Great American Song/Otter Rapids Music – 156

Country artists donated their time Feb. 24-25 in Blytheville, AR performing for the 32nd Annual ESA St. Jude Country Cares For Kids sponsored by KHLS/96.3 FM, Epsilon Sigma Alpha, and Ritter Communication. This year over $215,000 was raised. (L-R): (kneeling) Coty and Clinton Walker from The Walker Bros.; (Seated on couch): Jason Green, Chuck Wilder, Tiffany Sykes, Steve Southard and David Adam Byrnes; (upper couc): Dana Ham, Kelly McGrath, Kacey Smith, and Christine Moore; (Back row): CJ Wilder, Mark Wayne Glasmire, Bob Logan Buddy Jewell, Darren Warren, Mike Lester, Debbie Polk, Tom Hill and Sean Patrick McGraw

Arista Nashville’s Kix Brooks recently hosted the WYCD/Detroit 10 Man Jam Guitar Pull. Brooks is supporting his new single, “New To this Town,” featuring Eagles’ guitarist Joe Walsh. The single debuted at No. 79 on the CountryBreakout chart this week. (L-R): Jack Shell (WYCD MD), Tim Roberts (WYCD OM/PD), Kix Brooks and Renee Leymon (Arista Nashville Promotions)

Charlie Cook On Air: Post Country Radio Seminar

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Another Country Radio Seminar is behind us. I want to emphasize to everyone in Country Radio who did not attend this year or have never attended: please add the Seminar to your bucket list.

There are so many benefits to being in Nashville for the show.

Not only do you learn from industry leaders in both radio and records, you actually do rub shoulders with these people. I promise you do not need to know Clay Hunnicut to engage him in a conversation that will benefit your career and learning experience.

If you have a CRS name badge you are welcome into almost every event and conversation. Broadcasters and promotion people will draw you into the discussion. I have seen it happen. I have initiated it and I have benefited from it.

In my other life, as a CRB board member, I was the chair of the research committee. There are normally two research projects going on for the CRB. The first is the one that the attendees see as a presentation to the entire group.

This year my friends, Larry Rosin and Tom Webster, of Edison Research presented the results of their P2 project. I like that the agenda committee has begun allowing a follow-up panel that takes the research and puts it into usable language.

The second research project is for their internal use. This post seminar task is so the committee can better plan next year’s Seminar.

What I found when I chaired the committee, was that networking and entertainment were the top draws. Attendees loved that they met others in the business, but also that they were able to experience–in more intimate settings–some of the top talent and many newcomers.

This year attendees saw Lady Antebellum, Carrie Underwood, Sara Evans, Kellie Pickler, Jake Owen, Eli Young Band, Hunter Hayes, Sunny Sweeny, David Nail, Luke Bryan, Alan Jackson, Faith Hill and many saw Jason Aldean at the Bridgestone Arena.  I don’t have enough fingers and toes to count the No. 1 songs in that list.

Then each night they got to squeeze into a small, overheated room and see newcomers that will be stars in the format in years ahead. In those cases the room was cooled by Budweiser. There is nothing better than free music and free beer at midnight.

If you are a station owner and/or a General Manager you might think, “Why should I send my programming staff to Nashville for what amounts to a week’s vacation?”

Well, the Seminar is fun but what I described above takes place during lunches and after a full day of learning and panels.

This year, along with the Edison Research presentation that included actionable information that programmers could take back to their station and institute immediately, there was a panel on how to maximize your station’s ratings if you’re in a diary market.

There was a discussion on what diary market programmers can learn from PPM markets. Again, information that you could bring back to the station the following Monday.

I learned a great deal from consultant Steve Reynold’s presentation. In fact, I used a lot of his thinking for a morning show meeting Monday with a newly configured morning show at one of WV Radio’s stations. Spending an hour listening to Steve helped me make our morning show better and I believe this will translate into higher ratings and better rates.

Of course there were panels on Social Media. How much additional revenue can you expect from what you can learn at these panels? Unless of course you’re already full up on website sales?

Not enough sales information? Center for Sales Strategy’s Matt Sunshine led a couple of panels on how to maximize your relationship with clients. This was specific, actionable information.

There was a panel, always a favorite, on 90 promotional ideas in 50 minutes. These are more opportunities to maximize your sales effort.

This is just scratching the surface of what there was to do last week.

I did the shows. I did the networking. I did the panels. The visit to the Seminar is always the best week of the year for individuals and stations that participate.

Now for the issue most of us stumble on: cost. No way around it. The cost is going to be about $2000 a person (unless you share a room, the largest expense). Between travel and hotel you are going to rack up some expenses. The cost of the Seminar, $399.00 is the best deal going. Check around.

If you are an owner or GM and responsible for costs, that is a tough pill to swallow. If you are a broadcaster on your own, it is very difficult to budget. But like my mother, who used to save weekly in the Christmas Club at the bank, you should put aside $20 a week.

You will get your money back with your first visit.

Did I mention a lot of the beer was free?

Dungan Gets UMG Start Date, Lewis Plans New Venture

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(L-R): Mike Dungan, Luke Lewis

Universal Music Group officially announced today (2/29) the appointment of Mike Dungan to Chairman & CEO of Universal Music Nashville Entertainment. The move was first reported by MusicRow on Feb. 24. He will succeed current Chairman & CEO Luke Lewis, who has decided to focus on launching a new music venture in partnership with UMG, with details to be announced shortly.

Lewis will continue to lead UMG Nashville until Dungan takes office starting May 1. The announcement was made today by Lucian Grainge, Chairman & CEO of UMG, and Zach Horowitz, President & COO of the company, to whom Dungan co-reports.

“UMG is committed to expanding opportunities for artists on Music Row and Mike’s appointment is testament to that fact,” stated Grainge. “He is one of music’s most formidable creative executives, whose determination, talent and passion for music have given rise to the careers of countless superstar artists. We’re delighted to welcome him to the UMG  family.”

“I am thrilled to join the Universal team, honored to represent the fine roster of artists under the storied MCA, Mercury, and Lost Highway labels, and proud to have the opportunity to expand on the great legacy that Luke Lewis has built,” said Dungan.

“Mike is one of the best music executives in the business, with a great eye for talent, great ear for songs and great instincts for artist development,” commented Horowitz. “We’re thrilled he has chosen to make UMG his home.”

“During his long, successful tenure leading our Nashville family of labels, Luke has been a bold maverick in applying fresh new approaches to nurture and break country artists,” added Grainge. “We look forward to continuing our relationship with him.”

Credited as one of the leading executives behind country music’s broadening appeal, Dungan has for the last twelve years served as President & CEO of Capitol Nashville, where he assembled a stylistically diverse roster of superstars, including Lady Antebellum, Alan Jackson, Keith Urban, Darius Rucker, Dierks Bentley, Eric Church, and Luke Bryan.

Dungan joined Capitol following time as Senior Vice President and General Manager for Arista Nashville. He was instrumental in developing the careers of artists including Alan Jackson, Brooks & Dunn, Brad Paisley, Pam Tillis, Diamond Rio, and BlackHawk. Prior to that he held a variety of promotion, sales, and marketing positions with Arista, RCA Records and BMG Distribution.

Nashville Parties With Aldean, Bryan, and Alaina

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A sold-out crowd surrounded the stage in the Bridgestone Arena Friday night for the My Kinda Party Tour with Jason Aldean, Luke Bryan and Lauren Alaina. The show proudly delivered a hybrid of both the energy of a fully produced Garth Brooks show and pitch-perfect vocals allowing fans the opportunity to let their hair down and satisfy a critic’s pick.

The set list was undeniably country, and rightly so, with all three acts hailing from the state of Georgia. They played to that niche all evening with songs about “Georgia Peaches,” “Drinkin’ Beer and Wastin’ Bullets” and a “Big Green Tractor.”

Alaina skipped onstage wearing a shimmery metallic sundress to perform songs from her post-American Idol release Wildflower. She reflected on her first Idol audition happening in the Bridgestone, “my dream started in this building.”

Though Aldean’s name was on the concert marquee that night, Bryan too easily captivated the arena. The audience shone as brightly the LED stage risers that flashed L-U-K-E as he displayed the hits that put him on the stage. Although he fist-pumped a guitar when he walked onstage, Bryan spent a majority of his set showcasing his charismatic personality. He ran up and down the ramps showing off his tight jeans with enthusiasm for an admiring crowd.

He slowed the tempo only a few times, one to cover Adele’s “Someone Like You” behind a piano, exhibiting a rare and tantalizing falsetto. “In a city of the world’s greatest musicians, I am playing the piano? I suck at the piano!” he said in playful self-deprecation. It was no stretch of the imagination to understand why Bryan’s Spring Break event is so enjoyable, the audience was left burning-hot for Aldean.

Headliner Aldean’s high-octane energy continued the party through his set, which was apparently a night of firsts, “This is the first show we’ve done with fans behind us, and our first full show in Nashville, and it sold out.”

Aldean shared his stage set-up with the two opening acts, but when he appeared beds of intelligent lights aligned to resemble crops planted in a row—perfect for his farm referencing songs “Amarillo Sky” and “Flyover States.”

After a few of his hits on the main stage, Aldean was quickly escorted to an acoustic stage in the back of the arena where was joined by Bryan to duet on Shenandoah’s “Sunday in the South,” Tracy Lawrence’s “Time Marches On,” and Alabama’s “Love in the First Degree.” The pair also played Bryan’s “We Rode in Trucks,” requested by Aldean who said, “this is one of my favorite songs Luke doesn’t play in his set anymore.” The intro to “Don’t You Wanna Stay” brought deafening cheers when Kelly Clarkson surprised the audience for the spot usually covered on tour by Alaina.

The last rows of the balcony danced just as hard as the audience up front, all fueled by the electricity from the stage—everyone came to party. It left us amazed at the effects of electricity.

NEEDTOBREATHE Reckons With The Ryman

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On Friday night (2/24), South Carolina band NEEDTOBREATHE sold out the Ryman for the second consecutive night on The Reckoning Tour.

Nashville native Ben Rector opened the show, warming the crowd up with his songs including “Never Gonna Let You Go” and “When A Heart Breaks.” He mixed it up a little, inviting the audience to help him make up the third verse for his song “Loving You Is Easy.” When he accepted the challenge from an audience member to sing the third verse about pickles, he made a deal with the crowd. “If this goes poorly – and it probably will – if you were thinking to yourself ‘Hey, I’m going to buy this guy’s CD and/or t-shirt,’ still do,” he teased. But his improvised act didn’t go poorly and the cheering audience was rewarded with a cover of Whitney Houston’s “I Wanna Dance With Somebody.”

While the audience was quick to show Rector a lot of love, nothing compared to the deafening applause when NEEDTOBREATHE took the stage. Their set included an intricate backdrop that resembled old school typewriter keys. The only thing visible when band members Bear Rinehart, Bo Rinehart, Seth Bolt and Joe Stillwell stepped onto the stage were letters spelling out “The Reckoning.”

The stage remained dim while the band opened the set with “Oohs and Ahhs,” but when they hit the first chorus, the auditorium was hit with bursts of blinding lights that sporadically lit up the stage and offered a brief glimpse of what was to come. The sneak preview approach worked. After the opening number, the Ryman became standing room only. Everyone refused to sit, afraid of what they might miss.

NEEDTOBREATHE’s straightforward continuous, back-to-back performances included the “Devil’s Been Talking” and “Drive All Night,” both of which were crowd pleasers. But after a few uptempo numbers, the band slowed it down with “Washed By the Water,” a track off an earlier album, The Heat. Although released five years ago, the crowd swayed to the song like they were dancing with an old friend and sang the lyrics back right back to the band.

A big highlight of the night was the performance of “Girl Named Tennessee,” which struck a happy chord, close to home, with the Nashville crowd. As the song played on, no one could help dancing along to the beat. The dancing continued as the night closed with the title track from the band’s 2009 album The Outsiders.

If you’re kicking yourself for missing this rocking show, don’t worry. Lead vocal man, Bear, promised the audience that the band would be back to perform in Nashville again. And, if Friday night was any indicator, Nashville’s gonna hold ’em to it.

[All photos by Caitlin Rantala]

Lady Antebellum Expands Easily Into Headliner Status

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The set featured three video screens, a long ramp out into the crowd, and an oval, raised in the back with an "inner circle" crowd area.

Lady Antebellum

February 22, 2012, Municipal Auditorium, Nashville, TN

Photos: IzzyNashville.com

Hillary, Charles and Dave, working the crowd.

Backstage
“Coming up out of the lift at the start of the show, is my favorite part,” said Lady A’s Charles Kelley during an exclusive MusicRow interview with the trio before their Nashville show. “The energy is so outrageous, so addictive. I always take out one of my ear monitors to hear the crowd.”

During my last meeting with Hillary Scott, Charles Kelley and Dave Haywood about eight months ago, there were a lot of career questions on their minds. A new album was queued up for launch, they were focused on conceiving their first headline tour, and basking in the glow from recent multiple Grammy wins, but quietly wondering if there would be more.

No matter what yardstick you use, things have measured up smartly. The first two singles from Own The Night went No. 1 (“Just A Kiss” “We Owned The Night”), the new album is Platinum+, just won a Grammy and the International tour has already enjoyed nine consecutive sold out dates. “Yeah, we have to stop worrying so much,” laughed Charles when I remarked that the fans had answered all three questions in glowing terms.

“We feel blessed to have had so many dreams come true,” Hillary reflected. “But being able to fill an arena takes the cake in a lot of ways. It’s happened so fast. People ask us in interviews, ‘When is the moment where you feel like you’ve made it?’ For me, this is it.”

“Yes, we were working through all this stuff in the Fall,” Dave added. “But now we’ve hit a stride. I never thought we’d be able to fill those entire arenas with 10-14,000 people. Onstage is a different energy as opposed to the studio. It’s unlike anything we’ve ever felt before including Award show performances, etc. When people spend their hard-earned money to come out and are singing along it makes us feel so fortunate.”

The enticing aroma of steaks sizzling on a grill suddenly entered our space. Everyone kind of noticed it at once. “Yeah, it’s the same catering service that Martina McBride used when we were on our very first tour,” Dave said proudly. “Ever since then we knew we had to get them.”

Haywood, standing on a piano, leans into his Telecaster on "Just A Kiss."

“So what would you tell other Nashville artists, that aren’t yet headlining, about this experience?” I asked.

“Try to soak up the whole journey,” offered Charles. “There’s times I miss having one of those ‘can’t wait till it happens’ moments. Because after it does happen, it’s bittersweet. There is something about the innocence of being new and starting to hit those milestones. There were times when we were so involved we didn’t realize what an amazing journey we were going through.”

“And document,” said Hillary. “We’ve done that from the very beginning. It ends up being this beautiful video diary you might like to look back on and show your kids someday. It doesn’t matter what speed your career is at, you don’t process it fully while it is happening.”

While Lady A’s career has been moving in high gear, so has the changes in their personal lives. Hillary Scott was recently married and Dave Haywood is now engaged. “We’ve actually been going through this for several years,” says Dave. “Charles has been married a while and Hillary and Chris were dating all last year. We all put our personal lives first.”

“Our definition of putting our personal lives first looks a lot different than someone who has a normal 9-5 where they drive home and sleep in their own bed every night,” smiles Hillary, whose new husband Chris is currently playing drums on the tour. “But we’re thankful that at this time in our career we have the means to make it comfortable for everyone. When Charles and Cassie got married a few years ago we were all in one bus—12 of us—and she would have to fly in and out of cities because there was no room.”

The Show
Suddenly it was showtime. The three video screens showed each Lady A member primping and doing last minute “get-readys” in their dressing rooms. Moments before the lights dimmed and the videos began, they pumped the crowd with a “Shake It 2 Make It” dance teaser offering 2 tickets to the inner circle for the best dancers. The crowd rose to the occasion as the hot dance tracks played and video cameras put the action up on the screens.

But now it was all about the trio, their fans and specially invited radio programmers who were in town for the Country Radio Seminar. As Charles had predicted, the roar of the crowd was loud as the band rose up through center stage and launched into, “We Owned The Night.”

The show included a healthy offering of new songs and previous favorites. It’s incredible to realize the number of hits this band has amassed in the relatively short time they have been together. The night’s biggest challenge was the venue itself, the Municipal Auditorium. Its large round dome shape makes contouring the sound an engineer’s nightmare.

A special highlight was the stripped down acoustic interlude where the band members and musicians walked out the long ramp into the crowd and played around a mic. It was also a moment when Lady A invited supporting acts Darius Rucker and Thompson Square to jam. But there were more surprises to come. Luke Bryan pleased an excited crowd by singing “Do I.” (Hillary sang on Bryan’s record; Charles and Dave were co-writers on the song). Next, Sara Evans made a surprise appearance to sing “Stronger,” which Hillary Scott co-wrote.

The show moved back onto the main stage and gained momentum. Later, when the crowd called them out for a final encore, Lady A performed its signature song, “Need You Now.”

What makes this trio musically indelible? Well, certainly it is the instantly recognizable vocal blend of Charles and Hillary. Yes, it’s also the material they sing, much of which they write together. And yes, Dave Haywood’s musical contributions add depth and character. But maybe, above all else, it is the sensitive way the trio carries itself onstage, like three strands woven into a single tapestry. They care about each other and their fans. And it shows—all night long.

Backstage before the concert, (L-R) Dave Haywood, Hillary Scott, writer David Ross and Charles Kelley. Photo: Adam Boatman

CountryBreakout No. 1 Song

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Non-consecutive week No. 1 songs are a rarity on the CountryBreakout Chart. Typically a single will rise to the top and hang out for a couple weeks, before being scaled back into recurrent airplay.

So here’s our rare exception for the next few months. Keith Urban’s “You Gonna Fly” has returned to the No. 1 position after a couple weeks at No. 2 while labelmate Dierks Bentley’s “Home” was in charge. “You Gonna Fly” was penned by Jaren Johnston, Preston Brust, and Chris Lucas. Brust and Lucas you should recognize from their other job fronting the LoCash Cowboys, and this is the first No. 1 single for either of them.

Urban will also be tackling a new challenge in 2012, as he joins the Australian version of The Voice as a judge. His All For the Hall benefit for the Country Music Hall of Fame will come to the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville with guests Alabama, Alison Krauss & Union Station, The Band Perry, Blue Sky Riders, Diamond Rio, Exile, Lady Antebellum, Little Big Town, The Oak Ridge Boys, Pistol Annies, Rascal Flatts, and Thompson Square.

Weekly Chart Report (2/24/12)

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It Is What It Is/9North artist Lisa Matassa recently visited with KKGO/Los Angeles to promote her new single “Wouldn’t You Like To Know.” (L-R): Matassa, KKGO PD Tonya Campos.

SPIN ZONE
Anyone still awake out there? It’s the final day of Country Radio Seminar 2012, but there’s still plenty more to come. Thank you again to everyone who came out to MusicRow’s CountryBreakout Awards gathering on Tuesday, Feb. 21. We had an absolute blast and couldn’t have done it without you.

Even though it’s CRS, our CountryBreakout chart doesn’t take a break except for the last couple weeks of December. As you might expect, there are more frozen playlists than usual, since many of our reporting stations are here in town to party learn and network.

Nevertheless, we have a new—or should I say “old”—No. 1 song, since Keith Urban’s “You Gonna Fly” has returned to the top spot after a couple weeks off. Dierks’ “Home” falls back to No. 2, followed by Martina’s “I’m Gonna Love You Through It” still at No. 3. Taylor’s “Ours” moves up a spot to No. 4, one spin ahead of Montgomery Gentry’s “Where I Come From.”

It’s definitely a slower chart, but if your last name is Aldean, Bryan, or Church, it’s still a good week. Aldean’s “Fly Over States” is leading the bunch at No. 23, with Church’s “Springsteen” up to No. 25 after three weeks. Bryan’s “Drunk On You” actually gained the most spins this week (with 278) and moves inside the Top 40 at No. 38.

Frozen Playlists: KBCR, KBXB, KCJC, KDKD, KFAV, KIAI, KITX, KKAJ, KSED, KTJJ, KVOM, KVVP, KVWF, KXIA, KYEZ, KYKX, KZTL, KZZY, WBYZ, WCJW, WDHR, WDNB, WKDZ, WKKW, WKWS, WMEV, WTCM, WTRS, WUCZ, WXXK, WYVY

Upcoming Singles
February 27
Adam Gregory/High On You/Calusa Entertainment/GMV
Lisa Matassa/Wouldn’t You Like To Know/It Is What It Is/Nine North
Easton Corbin/Lovin’ You Is Fun/Mercury
Carrie Underwood/Good Girl/19/Arista
Garrett Morgan/Sugar/Front Row

March 5
James Wesley/Walking Contradiction/Broken Bow
Hunter Hayes/Wanted/Atlantic/WMN
Aaron Lewis/Endless Summer/R&J
David Nail/The Sound of a Million Dreams/MCA

• • • • •

New On The Chart—Debuting This Week
Artist/song/label — chart pos.
Bobby Dean/White Lightning Pink Champagne/Lamon — 79
John Maison/Fast Enough/Big High Five — 80

Greatest Spin Increase
Artist/song/label — spin+
Luke Bryan/Drunk On You/Capitol — 278
Eric Church/Springsteen/EMI Nashville — 273
Jason Aldean/Fly Over States/Broken Bow — 210
Zac Brown Band/No Hurry/Southern Ground/Atlantic — 183
Rascal Flatts/Banjo/Big Machine — 133

Most Added
Artist/song/label — New Adds
Luke Bryan/Drunk On You/Capitol — 17
Eric Church/Springsteen/EMI Nashville — 12
Thomas Rhett/Something To Do With My Hands/Valory — 8
JT Hodges/Goodbyes Made You Mine/Show Dog-Universal — 7
Dustin Lynch/Cowboys And Angels/Broken Bow Records — 6
Rachel Holder/In Your Arms/Curb — 6
Easton Corbin/Lovin’ You Is Fun/Mercury — 6

On Deck—Soon To Be Charting
Artist/song/label — spins
Jon Wolfe/I Don’t Dance — 194
Steve Holy/Until The Rain Stops/Curb — 183
Matt Kennon/You Had To Pick On Me/Roaddawg —178
Clay Walker/Like We Never Said Goodbye/Curb — 171
Scott Steele/Paycheck To a Prayer/In The Spot Light — 170

Olivia Rose (Hobo Bridge/Spin Doctors) kicked off her nationwide radio tour this week with a visit to WOOZ/Carterville, IL. (L-R) Tracy McSherry McKown (PD), Kent Zimmerman (Morning show host), Rose, and Josh Gass (WOOZ MD)

RCA's Josh Thompson visited San Antonio's KAJA to promote his new single, “Comin' Around,” from his forthcoming sophomore album. (L-R): RCA regional Josh Easler, Bree (KAJA on air talent), Thompson and Travis Moon (KAJA PD)