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Bobby Karl Works The Capitol Records Luncheon

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Chapter 391

Photo: Alan Mayor

Bring me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses….and Alan Jackson will heal them.

The exhausted, hungover, bleary-eyed attendees of Country Radio Seminar walked in zombie file into the Capitol Records luncheon on Thursday (2/23). When they left two hours later, they’d been bathed in the warmth, humor and emotions of a bona fide superstar.

Alan kidded them about being hungover, suggesting and singing snippets of tunes that could be CRS theme songs – “Pop a Top,” “Designated Drinker” and “It’s Five O’Clock Somewhere.” “It’s a pretty good town, isn’t it?” he said. “It’s a good place to raise hell and a good place to raise children. And I’ve done both.”

Relaxed and charming, he told them the story of his life in music, illustrating it with some of his finest songs. He was accompanied by four members of his Strayhorns band.

“We moved up here on Labor Day Weekend [in 1985]. I’d rented an apartment over the phone. Within two months, there were two fires and one shooting.” Alan sang 1996’s “Home,” which he wrote out of homesickness during his first days in Music City.

He had an early offer to record one song for Mercury Records, but was talked out of that deal. Four long years of singing demos and performing in clubs followed. One of those demos was “Country Club,” which became a hit for Travis Tritt. One of the clubs was a Ramada Inn, where he sang for Sunday brunch audiences, $25 for four hours.

One night, he dropped by the Hall of Fame Motor Inn near Music Row. An all-girl band called Miss-Behavin’ sang Rodney Crowell’s “Song for the Life,” and Alan was thunderstruck. The band later became Wild Rose, and in 1995 Alan fulfilled the vow he’d made to himself to record “Song for the Life.” His performance of it on Thursday was a highlight of the day.

Following his discovery by producer Keith Stegall, Alan’s debut single became 1989’s “Blue Blooded Woman.” It died at No. 45. “My wife was pregnant, and I was worried,” he recalled. “But those were good days, all that strugglin’ stuff.

He went on the road visiting radio programmers, and “I realized that they’re just regular people….You all have been so good to me, and I appreciate it.” He sang his breakthrough hit, 1990’s “Here in the Real World” to thank them.

“The label didn’t think ‘Chattahoochie’ should be a single. I didn’t either, but after it was No. 1 for six or seven weeks, I changed my mind.” He sang that one, too.

“My Daddy died in 2000 and after he did, I wanted to write something for him. But I didn’t want it to be sad.” The result was his 2002 smash “Drive (For Daddy Gene),” which he also sang.

His performance of “Remember When” was achingly lovely. He counterbalanced the ballad with the upbeat “Good Time.”

Alan confessed that he passed on Zac Brown’s breakthrough hit “Chicken Fried,” when it was offered to him. But he happily agreed to the duet “As She’s Walking Away,” which he sang, sans Zac.

Moderator Lon Helton pointed out that only Merle Haggard has written more of his own No. 1 songs than Alan Jackson has. Merle, Paul McCartney, John Lennon and Alan are the only artists who have written more than 20 No. 1 singles.

“There’s not a lot of acts who have been around as long as me who are still on the radio,” said Alan humbly. “I appreciate y’all listening so nicely.” He did an eloquent, touching version of his new hit “So You Don’t Have to Love Me Anymore,” then concluded with a snippet of The Kendalls’ “Thank God for the Radio.” A sustained standing ovation ensued.

“This man is a country-music original and an American treasure,” said Capitol boss Mike Dungan. Mike was in radio promotion at Arista Records when Alan began his career there.

At the start of the luncheon, the label head indulged himself with a little bragging. “We have the No. 1 album and four out of the top-10 albums. We have the No. 1 single this week and the most added single of the week.”

A promo video featured Keith Urban’s “You Gonna Fly,” Dierks Bentley’s “Home,” Lady Antebellum’s “Dancing Away with My Heart,” Luke Bryan’s “Drunk on You,” Eric Church’s “Springsteen” and Eric Paslay’s forthcoming “If the Fish Don’t Bite.” Coming up on the label are new sounds by Little Big Town, Darius Rucker, Jon Pardi and Kelleigh Bannen.

“We’re very proud of our roster,” said Dungan. We’re weren’t proud of the menu, which featured the driest fried chicken in history. Many gave up trying to saw through it with plastic utensils.

Bathing in the therapeutic power of the superstar or just milling and mingling in the vicinity were JT Hodges, Amber Hayes and Shooter Jennings, plus Bob Moody, Bob Doerschuk, Bob Paxman, John Dorris, Josh Brandon, Jerry Holthouse, the ubiquitous Charlie Monk, Daniel Paul, Beth Gwinn, Susan Collier, Wendy Pearl, Rich Miller, Ryan Moore, Scott Stem and the beaming Capitol/EMI staffers.

(L-R): CRB Board President/WQYK PD Mike Culotta, Capitol Nashville COO Tom Becci, Capitol Nashville SVP Marketing Cindy Mabe, Capitol Nashville CEO/President Mike Dungan, Jackson, Capitol Nashville SVP Promotion Steve Hodges, EMI Records Nashville VP Promotion Angela Lange, CRB Exec. Dir. Bill Mayne, Country Aircheck Publisher/CEO Lon Helton

Mike Dungan To Leave Capitol For Universal [Updated]

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Capitol Records Nashville President/CEO Mike Dungan will soon be moving over to Universal Nashville to take over as president.

Billboard.biz reported the news yesterday (Feb. 23), which MusicRow later confirmed. Longstanding Universal Music Group Nashville president Luke Lewis is rumored to be taking on a different role within the company.

The Tennessean reported today (Feb 25), an email was sent Friday to employees from EMI CEO Roger Faxon confirming Dungan’s departure to rival record label, Universal Music Group.

Among other details in their report, Dungan will leave Capitol/EMI on March 31 and join Universal a month later. “I would not be surprised that once the merger with Universal has closed, we will be linking up with Mike once again,” Faxon said. “But until that happens, while he will still be our friend, he will absolutely be our competition.”

Taking over from Dungan at Capitol/EMI is Bill Hearn, currently the top executive at EMI’s Christian music division according to The Tennesseean. Hearn continues to oversee the EMI’s CMG Christian group, but will also take on the additional responsibility of Capitol Nashville, Faxon said.

In mid-November, 2011, an announcement of the sale of EMI’s recorded music and publishing companies for a total of $4.1 billion to Vivendi SA’s Universal Music Group ($1.9 b) and a consortium led by Sony Corp ($2.2 b) made headlines. The record label deal is partly based upon Universal’s expectation it can profitably exploit EMI’s extensive back catalog which includes acts like The Beatles.

The current proposed merger between both entertainment companies is still pending regulatory approval.

 

MusicRowPics: 10th Annual CRS Meet & Greet and CBO Awards [More Pics]

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MusicRow held its 10th Annual CRS Meet & Greet and CountryBreakout Awards Tues., Feb 21, with performances by JT Hodges, The McClymonts, and Marlee Scott as well as a special appearance from Joanna Smith.

Awards based on CountryBreakout Chart airplay were presented to Independent Artist of the Year, Eric Lee Beddingfield; Label of the Year, Capitol Records Nashville; Breakout Artist of the Year, Thompson Square; Artist of the Year, Brad Paisley. WPPL/Blue Ridge, GA PD Jim Quinton was presented with the editorial CountryBreakout Reporter of the Year.

Complete coverage here.
More pics here.

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Photos: Alan Mayor

Feb/March ’12—On the Cover: Jana Kramer

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If you ask Jana Kramer to describe her life in this very moment she would say, “Dreams really do come true.” The singer/songwriter/actress has already had success with three songs that were featured on The CW’s One Tree Hill, where she plays the firecracker actress, Alex Dupre. Kramer also debuted a fourth song on One Tree Hill in mid-January.

Growing up in Michigan, Kramer is no stranger to the rich history of Country music, crediting one of her favorite memories to baking cookies with her grandmother while listening to Patsy Cline. These little moments are one of the many reasons why Kramer hopes to share her music with others.

Kramer recently released her first official debut single “Why Ya Wanna,” which debuted with a record-breaking 55 radio adds. Kramer says the song is something everyone can relate to. “When I first heard the song, I was hooked immediately. It was literally everything I was going through and more, so it meant a lot to record a personal song that became my first single.” Kramer added, “I have to thank country radio for believing in me. I’m beyond humbled and excited for this amazing start to my music career.”

Management: McGhee Entertainment
Label: Elektra Nashville
Album Title: TBD
Producer: Scott Hendricks
Single: Why Ya Wanna
Booking: CAA
Influences: James Taylor, Johnny Cash, Patsy Cline, Loretta Lynn, Patty Griffin
Hometown: Rochester Hills, MI
Birthday: Dec 2
TV / Film: One Tree Hill, Entourage, Friday Night Lights 
Interesting facts Kramer knew how to throw a spiral from age 5 and figure skated for 13 years. Her favorite sport is hockey. Kramer can also speak German.
Outside Interests: Horseback riding and all things sports
Twitter: @kramergirl
Facebook: www.facebook.com/janakramermusic

MusicRowPics: 10th Annual CRS Meet & Greet and CBO Awards

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MusicRow held its 10th Annual CRS Meet & Greet and CountryBreakout Awards yesterday with performances by JT Hodges, The McClymonts, and Marlee Scott as well as a special appearance from Joanna Smith.

The invitation-only event at Margaritaville in downtown Nashville served as an unofficial kick-off to Country Radio Seminar, which began at the Nashville Convention Center today (Feb. 22).

Awards based on CountryBreakout Chart airplay were presented to Independent Artist of the Year, Eric Lee Beddingfield; Label of the Year, Capitol Records Nashville; Breakout Artist of the Year, Thompson Square; Artist of the Year, Brad Paisley. WPPL/Blue Ridge, GA PD Jim Quinton was presented with the editorial CountryBreakout Reporter of the Year. An in-depth profile of each recipient is featured in the February/March 2012 MusicRow print magazine.

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Photos: Izzynashville.com

Bobby Karl Works The Country Radio Hall of Fame Ceremony

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Chapter 389

The official/unofficial first Country Radio Seminar cocktail party occurred just prior to the Country Radio Hall of Fame awards at the Convention Center.

This is always a good opportunity to see which recording artists are early birds trying to catch the worms of country radio’s gatekeepers. On Tuesday evening (2/21), they included Josh Thompson, Deborah Allen, Jerrod Niemann, Radney Foster, Mark Collie, Jay DeMarcus, Connie Smith, Jana Kramer and Oak Ridge Boys Duane Allen, Joe Bonsall and Richard Sterban.

CRS chair Charlie Morgan dubbed the ceremony, “the most special night, the night we honor our greats, our legends.” Country Radio Broadcasters board president Mike Culotta gave the President’s Award to Hall of Fame member Bob Kingsley.

“I’m getting an award for something I truly love,” said the honoree. “Every industry has its own convention, but none can compare to ours.” Kingsley has attended 40 of the 43 CRS confabs. He was instrumental in getting songwriters involved and has worked at literally every level of the planning and execution of the annual get-together.

Pictured at the Country Radio Hall of Fame induction ceremony are the 2012 class of the Country Radio Hall of Fame. (L-R): CRS President Mike Culotta, Eddie Stubbs, Ron Rogers, Beverlee Brannigan, Rusty Walker, Bill Whyte, Moby, Bob Kingsley, CRS Executive Director Bill Mayne. Photo: Bev Moser

R.J. Curtis presented the Artist Career Achievement Award to Glen Campbell. The superstar’s hits played with a video montage, since he was en route to Boston for another stop on his farewell tour. Keith Urban appeared, also via video, to thank Glen for, “blazing such a trail for guitar-slinging singers in this town” and being, “such a huge influence in what I do.” Keith performed “Wichita Lineman” in Glen’s honor.

T.K. Kimbrell accepted for Glen, who has Alzheimer’s Disease. “This is perfect timing,” said Kimbrell, “because Glen can still understand what an honor this is.” He said he’d spoken to the star about it the day before. “This award is a real testament to how a country boy from Delight, Arkansas, can reach people all around the world.”

The first Radio honoree was Midwest programmer and operations manager Beverlee Brannigan, who is considered to be a trailblazer for women in country radio programming. “I was truly the only woman in the room for most of the ‘80s and ‘90s,” she acknowledged.

Famed consultant Rusty Walker has worked with more than 750 stations. He was the second Radio honoree.

“If I live to be 150, I’ll never be able to repay this debt,” he said. “Thank you, CRS, for creating a learning and networking environment.”

Ron Rogers was introduced by Bill Mayne as, “one of the best teachers I’ve ever met, hence his nickname, ‘Coach.’” Rogers is noteworthy for his work in the Austin, TX market.

“It’s easy to get puffed up about an honor like this,” said Rogers. “I said to my wife on the way up here, ‘In your wildest dreams, did you ever think we’d be flying into Nashville to go into the Hall of Fame?’ She said, ‘Ron, you’re not in my wildest dreams.’”

The on-air personalities were saluted next. Linda Davis and Lang Scott inducted their friend Bill Whyte, presenting a gag CD cover of “Lady Grannybellum,” picturing them with him. On a more serious note, Scott said, “We’re in the heart of Music City, in the heart of country music and in the heart of country radio. And that’s appropriate, because Bill has a heart. I think you’re very wise to honor a man of such integrity.”

Whyte, currently on WSM, recalled beginning his career playing records on small-market radio stations from trailers in cow pastures. He was unapologetic in giving the evening’s longest acceptance speech. His on-air stints include time spent in Cincinnati, Milwaukee and Indianapolis, as well as Nashville. He is also a singer-songwriter.

“To all those who never told me I couldn’t, thank-you so much and God bless,” he concluded.

His fellow WSM broadcaster Eddie Stubbs was also inducted into the Hall of Fame. At age 50, Stubbs is the youngest inductee to date and also perhaps the only one who comes from a public-radio background.

“He’s crazy as a bat, and I know that because it takes one to know one,” said inductor Marty Stuart. Stubbs is a walking encyclopedia of historic country music and plays it on his shows. “He can take us to the heart and soul of country music,” said Stuart. “If you follow your heart, it will always take you to the right place. Eddie followed his heart,” and it led him to the Hall of Fame.

A veteran of The Johnson Mountain Boys bluegrass band, Stubbs recalled fiddling for the late Johnny Wright and wife/co-star Kitty Wells. Kitty, age 92, was in attendance and received the night’s longest and loudest standing ovation.

“I didn’t get into this for self-gratification,” Stubbs said. “It’s always been about the music….This award tonight is a monumental blessing, and I thank God.”

Entertainment attorney titan Joel Katz inducted James Carney, known on the air as Moby. The DJ is a Crossville, TN native and Belmont dropout who grew up country but gained fame as a rock shock jock. He went back to his country roots in 1991 on the air in Atlanta.

“I never thought I’d see the brass ring of the country-radio carousel, but look at me tonight,” quoth Moby. “It’s the Academy Award of country broadcasting.”

Roughly 400 folks attended. Working the room were Jim Halsey, Sherman Halsey, Skip Bishop, Mark Wright, Mike Dungan, Charlie Monk, Phyllis Stark, Dan Rogers, Donna Hughes, George Briner, Scott Borchetta and Tom Baldrica. Hall of Famer Smokey Stover was there celebrating his 90th birthday. Dale Turner, Bobby Wright, Mike Ford, Bob Cole, David Haley, Steve Dean, Sue Sturdivant, Charlie Cook and Byron Gallimore dined on steak medallions, roasted potato wedges and broccoli, cauliflower, carrots and other mixed steamed veggies. Apple pie and/or chocolate cake were the deserts.

Immediately afterward (2/21), Sony and Sea Gayle showcased Wade Bowen, Jerrod Niemann and Brent Anderson in the Renaissance Hotel Ballroom. The laminate/invitation included those magic words, “open bar.” Schmooze on!

At the “Official Country Radio Hall of Fame After Party” are (L-R): Liz O’Sullivan (Sea Gayle Senior VP of Creative), Lesly Tyson (Arista Nashville VP National Promotion), Frank Rogers (Sea Gayle Partner), Wade Bowen, Gary Overton (Sony Music Nashville Chairman & CEO), Chris DuBois (Sea Gayle Partner), Brent Anderson, Norbert Nix (Columbia/BNA Records VP National Promotion), Jerrod Niemann. Photo: Bev Moser

Bobby Karl Works MusicRow’s CountryBreakout Awards

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Chapter 388

Listen, I live all year long in one unending schmoozathon, but nothing tops CRS in the schmooze department.

The 43rd annual Country Radio Seminar got underway Tuesday afternoon (2/21) with the presentation of the 10th annual Country Breakout Awards by MusicRow magazine. Staged in the upstairs party room at Margaritaville, in reality the event was a manic gab fest. Talk about a tough room – the schmoozers just barely paused to applaud Artist of the Year Brad Paisley.

(L-R): MR Managing Editor Jon Freeman, Sony Music Nashville Chairman & CEO Gary Overton, Brad Paisley and MR Publisher/Owner Sherod Robertson. Photo: Izzynashville.com

Brad didn’t seem to mind – he knows what CRS is all about. “I hope you have a great week,” he told the babbling crowd. “Take care of yourselves. Don’t drink too much. But don’t abstain from drinking, either.”

The CMA Entertainer of the Year was accompanied by Gary Overton. “It’s a real honor to work with Brad Paisley,” said Gary O. “You can’t ask for a better partner.”

Thompson Square won the Breakthrough Artist award. “Shawna and I are pretty humbled today,” said Keifer Thompson. “We played this [Lower Broadway] strip for years and years.” Margaritaville, you see, lies in the heart of the district where country dreams are born and die in Music City.

(L-R): Jon Freeman, Thompson Square's Keifer & Shawna Thompson and Sherod Robertson. Photo: Izzynashville.com

For the seventh consecutive year, Capitol Records was named Label of the Year. Steve Hodges led the company’s promo staff in accepting.

The Independent Artist of the Year honor went to Eric Lee Beddingfield. “I take a lot of pride in being an independent artist,” he said. “Thank you MusicRow for helping artists such as myself and giving us the chance to get our music heard.”

(L-R): Jon Freeman, Sherod Robertson and WPPL's Jim Quinton

The magazine’s awards are based on the number of spins that artists or labels receive from its 102 chart reporting stations. Of those stations, the Reporter of the Year went to Jim Quinton at WPPL Mountain Country in Blue Ridge, GA. In a room full of his peers, Jim received the afternoon’s rowdiest ovation.

“I love the music that we have right now – so many different styles to choose from,” Jim said. “Our audience is just growing and growing. Use this time [in Nashville at CRS] to re-charge yourself.”

Some of that diverse music was performed during the event. Marlee Scott is a Canadian now living in Nashville. The porcelain skinned, raven-haired beauty is a FaceBook sensation with 25,000 followers. She has topped the country charts in England, Germany ahd Holland. Marlee offered the partiers a sprightly “Crazy for You,” the tuneful hit “Beautiful Maybe” and her funky current single “Train Wreck.”

JT Hodges Performs

For my money, the performer of the day was JT Hodges. His gleaming smile, neo-rockabilly hairstyle and pent-up intensity added up to a charismatic stage presence, and his urgent singing completed the package. The rollicking “Hunt You Down,” driving “Sleepy Little Town” and throbbing “Goodbyes Made You Mine” all sounded like hits.

The McClymonts probably commanded the crowd’s attention the most. Although performing last, no one at the bash left while those three Aussie charmers were on stage. Their harmony singing was flawless, as always.

Joanna Smith, who showcased at last year’s MR event, dropped by to offer the attendees the world premiere of her new single “We Can’t Be Friends.” She got the song from Kenny Chesney, she said.

More than 500 people rsvp’d, setting a record for this shindig. Bobby Karl spotted Oak Ridge Boy William Lee Golden, plus Ron Allen, Allen Brown, Steve Ferguson, Steve Markland, Shelly Marks, Chuck Dauphin, Chuck Thompson, Frank Myers, Isabel Ross, Tinti Moffatt, Paul Ciliberto, Ed Carter, Mike Thomas, Martha Moore, Ed Spacek, Bill Wence, Sherrill Blackmon, Tom Long, Teddi Bonadies, Paula Szeigis, Clif Doyal and Becky Harris in the schmoozing throng.

The Margaritaville staff was super attentive, passing around the club’s signature Cheeseburgers in Paradise snacks and offering a tasty nacho bar. Not to mention plentiful adult beverages.

“We are so honored to start off your CRS,” said the mag’s head honcho Sherod Robertson. “Hope your CRS is off to a great start,” added co-host Jon Freeman. Thank you. It is.

Nashville Makes An Impression On “The Voice”

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The second season of NBC’s The Voice is well underway, and Nashville’s considerable talent pool is being represented so far by three singers.

Gwen Sebastian (R) interviews with Premiere Radio Networks’ Rosemary Young during Country Radio Seminar in Nashville.

Early in the season, North Dakota-born singer/songwriter Gwen Sebastian landed a spot on team Blake Shelton by delivering a stirring rendition of Sugarland’s “Stay.” Blake commented, “Hey listen, you are a great country vocalist. You have every quality. You are tender in the right places, and you are powerful in the right places, and it matches the lyrics. I just think you really know what you are doing. You have a great sound and you’re developed.” Sebastian will also be blogging about the experience on the show on gactv.com.

If Sebastian’s name sounds familiar, it’s because she actually had a little success on MusicRow’s CountryBreakout Chart back in 2010 with a single called “Hard Rain.” She’s currently being represented by Flying Island Entertainment.

Brian Fuente

Additionally, Team Blake picked up Nashville resident Brian Fuente after his audition with the Grace Potter song “Paris (Ooh La La).” Fuente moved to town in 2007 and is a self-taught guitarist who formerly fronted the rock band Newmatic.

Also representing Music City is Nicolle Galyon, who turned in a performance of Kenny Chesney’s “You Save Me.” This time around, judge Adam Levine was the one to pounce, and selected Galyon for his team. See the audition here.


Galyon, a Kansas native, is a graduate of Belmont University and Warner/Chappell songwriter who has penned songs for Laurena Alaina, Josh Kelley, and Brent Anderson. She’s also a classically trained pianist and played Belmont’s yearly showcase The Best of the Best while she was a student.

A Belmont University representative also informs us that three other alumni are part of this season. Contestants Katrina Parker (Team Adam), Hailey Steele (of The Line, Team Christina) and Tony Vincent (Team Cee-Lo) all previously lived in Nashville and attended Belmont at some point in time.

Go Nashville!

Exclusive: Q&A With Chris Woods, EVP/COO, TuneSat

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TuneSat is a service provider that monitors television and internet sites for copyright usage using fingerprint technology.  It provides near real-time reporting to content owners showing all performances that were detected with the date, time, channel, show, episode, composition, duration of time played, as well as, the recording of the captured performance as proof positive of the use. For internet usage, TuneSat reports the website, the hosting site, and contact information. TuneSat also provides reports comparing detected performance with royalty statements showing variances between the two.

Chris Woods, EVP/COO of TuneSat

MusicRow recently sat down exclusively with Chris Woods, Executive Vice President and Chief Operations Officer of TuneSat for a candid discussion about this innovative company and the services offered from its audio fingerprinting technology. Woods, a graduate of the Berklee School of Music, has created music branding packages for numerous television networks, including Fox Sports, Versus and Big Ten. As a music composer himself, Woods knows first-hand the challenges of music royalty licensing and collection issues which led him to co-found TuneSat in 2007.

MusicRow: The royalty payment process requires the licensee to obtain a license in order to report all the music they use to the PROs (Performance Rights Organizations) which then triggers the royalty payment. What led you to that moment where you believed you had something to offer?

Woods: We conducted case studies over a decade with majors, indies, and small composers like myself to compare detected performance data on television to performance royalties and found empirically that between 60 and up to 80% of music on television is never reported to the societies. In this day and age, technology has the ability to resolve this issue. We decided to start a service for all content owners to be able to know exactly when and where their music is playing.

MusicRow: What was the first step in offering such a service?

Woods: We established a monitoring facility and secured our own technology to constantly listen to 109 national network broadcasters in the US for performances of our clients master recordings in our fingerprint database.

MusicRow: What is the biggest issue with a content owner identifying usage of the copyright?

Woods: The problem with television and other technologies is you have to be able to identify music when it’s buried under dialogue, sounds affect, crowd noise, etc.. We can identify any 3 seconds of a broadcast to make a positive identification with the master recording.

MusicRow: What advice to you give content owners regarding being a curator of their copyrights?

Woods: You have to be business minded.  You have to understand what your rights are, understand where the money comes from and keep track of it. We see ourselves as a tool that music rights owners can use to help them track down that money.

MusicRow: Where does the Nashville music industry fit into the strategic initiatives of TuneSat?

Woods: One of our main initiatives is to get to the songwriter community and let them know we exist and how we can help them. Nashville is a great market for us and one we are heavily pursuing. A lot of the initiatives for us are to be more part of the Nashville organizations and embrace the different societies here. We really want to work with everyone to understand what the challenges are and how we can help monetize their music.

MusicRow: With the sheer expansiveness of the internet, is it something you can actually monitor?

Woods: Everyone knows their music is misused on the internet but finding it, resolving it, dealing with it– it’s a complete mess. Our answer to that is, “yes you can monitor the internet,” and we’re going to do in a way that no one else can. We are monitoring millions of websites around the world for the use of our clients music regardless of whether it’s a hotel website in Italy or a real estate website in Switzerland.  We are going to find the music, detect it, and provide our clients with that information.

MusicRow: Do you see where your service has been successful?

Woods: We’ve recovered millions of dollars on behalf of our clients that have used our information.

Subscribers can sign up online and can choose monitoring of television, internet or both. Customers include record labels, publishers, and individual memberships. Rates are based on amount of content and start at $10 per month for monitoring of up to 10 songs. In the event of a royalty discrepancy, TuneSat subscribers can pursue the claim themselves, or hire the company’s newly-launched Administrative Services branch to pursue unlicensed and unpaid uses of their music.

For more information, visit www.tunesat.com.

Aspen Songwriters Festival Attracts World-Class Talent

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Sam Bush and John Oates at the 2011 festival. They will be performing together again this year.

Songwriter and mega-hit artist John Oates is bringing a little piece of Nashville to his hometown with the 7908 Aspen Songwriters Festival. Inspired by the Bluebird Cafe’s in-the-round performance style, his initial one-off undertaking has evolved into a five-day cross-genre event.

“I thought it would be something people in Aspen had never seen and experienced,” recalls Oates of the festival’s original incarnation. “So I approached the people at this amazing acoustic venue called the Wheeler Opera House, it’s a Victorian theater that is perfect for this sort of thing. I called it the Stories Behind The Songs, and that year we had Patty Griffin, Bob Regan, Jimmy Wayne, Tift Merritt, and Scotty Emerick. It went over so well that people in the city asked if I would expand it into an annual event.”

As 7908 developed, Oates’ wife Aimee named the festival for their beloved city’s altitude. Set for March 21-25, the 2012 line up includes Oates, Darrell Scott, Matt Nathanson, James McMurtry, Sam Bush, Marc Broussard, Angel Snow, and The Blue Sky Riders (Kenny Loggins, Georgia Middleman and Gary Burr).

“We’re a very eclectic songwriters festival,” Oates continues. “With bluegrass to pop and classic rock and everything in between. We like to have really unique pairings. This year we have JD Souther and Carrie Rodriguez doing a show together, and they’ve never even met. We try to give the audience a chance to see something they may not see anywhere else.”

Oates handpicks most of the performers along with Gram Slaton, Executive Director of the Wheeler Opera House. Along with booking top-name artists, they focus on supporting new talent. “We’re a not-for-profit organization and our mission is to nurture and perpetuate the art and craft of songwriting,” adds Oates. “Part of that is done by combining up and comers with seasoned professionals. People may come to see the headliner, but they are usually blown away by the artists they don’t know. Plus, we wanted to keep a local component, so we came up with a statewide songwriting contest. It helps rising songwriters, and also creates interest in the event from people in other parts of the state.”

Music lovers who attend 7908 range from Colorado residents to visitors from across the globe. “Aspen is a very international city,” he explains. “People come from all over the world to go skiing here. Our festival is at the height of spring break, and spring skiing, which is so popular because there is a whole winter’s worth of snow on the ground and beautiful warm sunny days. It’s an amazing time to be in Aspen.”

www.aspensongwritersfestival.com

Matt Nathanson and John Oates, who are both set to return to next month's festival. Photo: Lynn Goldsmith