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Weekly Chart Report (9/23/11)

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SPIN ZONE

Crosswind recording artist Teea Goans (R) recently visted with Larry Moffit from KDKD/Clinton, MO at the "Music on Main Street" Festival in Teea's hometown Lowry City, MO. Teea’s current single "Letter From God” is at No. 48 on the CountryBreakout Chart.

George Strait gets a second turn in the CountryBreakout Chart’s No. 1 spot with “Here For A Good Time,” as Blake Shelton’s “God Gave Me You” starts to put on a little pressure at No. 2. Eli Young Band’s “Crazy Girl” moves up to No. 3 with a gain of 119 spins, inching ahead of Thompson Square’s “I Got You.” New to the Top 10 is Miranda Lambert’s “Baggage Claim,” which lands at No. 8 ahead of Darius Rucker’s “I Got Nothin’” at No. 9.

In the spirit of George Strait’s No. 1, Texas makes a strong showing elsewhere on this chart. Sunny Sweeney’s latest, “Drink Myself Single,” notches the week’s highest debut at No. 64. Kevin Fowler’s “That Girl” also debuts admirably at No. 70, following a triple-digit spin increase. Texan hitmaker Tracy Lawrence is releasing music independently these days, but his latest “The Singer” is up to No. 37.

On his radio promo tour, Tyrone Vaughan stopped by WQHK/Ft. Wayne and performed an acoustic mini-concert which included his single, "Downtime." Vaughan’s debut album is due for release in early 2012. (L-R): Vaughan, WQHK PD Rob Kelley

Other new tracks on this chart include American Idol champ Scotty McCreery’s “The Trouble With Girls” at No. 71, Patrick Davis’ “Lucky” at No. 77, Jimmy White’s “Forever And A Day” at No. 78, Madonna Nash’s “Dirty Little Secret” at No. 79 and JaneDear girls’ “Merry Go Round” at No. 80.

Frozen Playlists: KMOK, KTWI, KYEZ, KYKX, YYK, WAXX, WBKR, WCJW, WCMS, WDHR, WJMQ, WTCM

Upcoming Singles
September 26
Coy Taylor/Fall For You/Twang City/Flying Island Ent.
Bobby Dean/White Lightning or Pink Champagne/Lamon
Crystal Shawanda/Love Enough/Sun/Nine North
Kip Moore/Somethin’ ‘Bout A Truck/MCA

October 3
Brent Anderson/Amy’s Song/Sea Gayle/Arista
Corey Smith/Maybe Next Year/Average Joe’s
Sunny Sweeney/Drink Myself Single/Republic Nashville
Trent Tomlinson/A Man Without A Woman/Skyville Records
Blake Wise/Can’t Live Without/Broken Bow

• • • • •

New On The Chart—Debuting This Week
Artist/song/label — chart pos.
Sunny Sweeney/Drink Myself Single/Republic Nashville — 64
Kevin Fowler/That Girl/Average Joe’s — 70
Scotty McCreery/The Trouble With Girls/19 Ent./Mercury — 71
Patrick Davis/Lucky/BOC Records — 77
Jimmy White/Forever And A Day/Tone Box — 78
Madonna Nash/Dirty Little Secret/Mad Charm — 79
JaneDear girls/Merry Go Round/Warner Bros./WMN — 80

Greatest Spin Increase
Artist/song/label — spin+
Zac Brown Band/Keep Me In Mind/Southern Ground/Atlantic — 328
Luke Bryan/I Don’t Want This Night To End/Capitol — 317
Jason Aldean/Tattoos On This Town/Broken Bow — 282
Lady Antebellum/We Owned The Night/Capitol — 281
Chris Young/You/RCA — 219

Most Added
Artist/song/label — New Adds
Zac Brown Band/Keep Me In Mind/Southern Ground/Atlantic — 16
Sunny Sweeney/Drink Myself Single/Republic Nashville — 16
Kevin Fowler/That Girl/Average Joe’s — 12
Luke Bryan/I Don’t Want This Night To End/Capitol — 12
Chris Young/You/RCA Nashville — 10

On Deck—Soon To Be Charting
Artist/song/label — spins
Erica Nicole/Shave/Heaven — 150
Luke Pilgrim/Sweet Tea/MM/Southern Tracks — 146
Brett Eldredge/It Ain’t Gotta Be Love/Atlantic/WMN — 134
Casey James/Let’s Don’t Call It A Night/BNA — 133
Clay Dustin/I’ll Take That Job/Pure Heart — 127
Attwater/Never Gonna Happen/Twenty Ten — 127

Montgomery Gentry recently helped WKKT morning personality Paul Schadt celebrate his 30th anniversary of waking up Charlotte. MG’s latest single “Where I’m From” is climbing the CountryBreakout Chart at No. 22. (L-R): Schadt, Troy Gentry, WKKT MD Tyler Reese, Eddie Montgomery and Average Joe’s Jay Cruze.

BNA Records artist Wade Bowen recently made a visit to K102 in Minneapolis before his show at Toby Keith's "I Love This Bar & Grill." (L-R): KEEY PD Gregg Swedberg, Bowen, and KEEY MD JD Green

CountryBreakout No. 1 Song

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Words you’ll never hear an artist say: “Aw man, do I have to be No. 1 again?”

That’s right, George Strait’s “Here For A Good Time” is the CountryBreakout No. 1 song for a second consecutive chart. So apparently a “good time” lasts, at a minimum, two weeks. The track is Strait’s 89th (!) career single, from his 24th (!!) album of the same title. Strait is also the most-nominated country artist in CMA Awards history, with 81 career nominations, as well as the most-awarded with 22 wins. Suffice it to say, we think he’s got a pretty good shot at making it in this crazy country music business.

In addition to Here For A Good Time, Universal Music also recently issued George Strait – Icon, an 11 track collection highlighting his signature hits. Nine of his No. 1 singles are present, including “All My Ex’s Live In Texas,” “Ocean Front Property,” “Check Yes or No,” “Give It Away” and more.

Charlie Cook On Air

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Cost Of Livin’ High And Goin’ Up

I attended the National Association of Broadcasters meeting in Chicago this month and a lot of the meeting was really good. There were great panels, great food, and good networking. But some of it was upsetting.

The networking is what I want to talk about. We also saw it this year at the Country Radio Seminar. I used to be the research committee chairman for the CRB and every year “networking” came back as the most important feature of the Seminar.

But networking has gotten desperate in the last few years.

“Everythin’ to know about me is written on this page
A number you can reach me, my social and my age.”

You can see it in a guy’s eyes. There is still a good degree of pride but there is also fear—not that the business has passed them by, but that others may think that of them. Fear that they still have two kids in high school and college is right around the corner. Fear that the longer away from the only thing they know, knows no mercy.

“I work weekends if I have to. Nights and holidays.
Give you forty and then some. Whatever it takes.”

It’s not just the radio side of the business that is suffering. Record sales have taken terrible hits in the last five years. Staffs and labels are impacted to their core. These are good people who believe deeply in their artists and love the music. But there is no longer room for them on the promotion and marketing side.

“Gave my last job everythin’ before it headed south.
Took the shoes off my children’s feet and food out of their mouths.”

The bad economic news is all over the radio and TV. Our nation’s unemployment rate has been over 9% for what feels like forever now. I don’t know what the real damage is in our industries. I know that a lot of emails have gone from corporate to Yahoo and that is sad.

“I work sunup to sundown. Ain’t too proud to sweep the floors
and the bank started callin’ and the wolves are at my door.”

I am not smart enough to have a solution to this. Unless President Obama’s jobs plan mandates that consumers have to buy physical CDs and automobiles (radio’s number one sponsor), I can’t see the light at the end of the tunnel. Savings aren’t supposed to save you—they are supposed to soften the landing.

Consumers have decided to add 30,000 miles to their odometer and continue to buy single cuts…when they buy them at all. A lot of the conversation at the NAB was about digital: how great digital is, how to use digital, and why digital is our salvation.

Well ask Sony, Universal, EMI and WB how much they love digital and downloading. Ask Cumulus, CBS and Entercom how much they love digital (read: Pandora, Spotify, etc.)

I am not a Luddite about the Internet. I know that the business is evolving and that we all have to keep up with it. We have to learn how to take advantage of it in everything we do but that pain in the eyes of guys who have worked at five stations or four labels and don’t see a bright future are not at fault for not staying up to date. They are just the consequences of this progress.

I am not saying that you take in an unemployed radio family. You don’t have to send money to out of work label people. But you can think of them. You can pray for them and you can keep your eyes open for them in your company.

“Three Dollars and change at the pump.
The cost of livin’ high and going’ up.”

[Songwriters: Philip Coleman and Ronnie Dunn]

By the way, Ronnie sang this song at the Marconi dinner and received a standing ovation. How often do you see that from a crowd of broadcasters?

Industry Ink (9/22)

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Pictured seated (L-R): Razor & Tie’s Beka Tischker and Catt Gravitt. Standing: Razor & Tie’s Ross Asher & Lisa Johnson; SESAC’s Tim Fink. Photo: Peyton Hoge

SESAC songwriter Catt Gravitt has signed with Razor & Tie Publishing. Gravitt has writing credits on the current singles from Eden’s Edge (“Amen”) and Jake Owen (“Alone With You”). The Coal Valley, Pa. native has written songs recorded by Martina McBride, Rascal Flatts, Kelly Clarkson, Adam Lambert and Kenny Rogers. Gravitt is also a successful songwriter in the Christian Music genre having written “In Better Hands,” which Natalie Grant took to No. 1.

• • • • •

Tiffany Bearden

Tiffany Bearden is launching Evolution PR, offering full-scale publicity campaigns as well as individual services including press releases, tour press and social media marketing. Bearden previously spent four years at FrontPage Publicity working with clients Martina McBride, George Strait, Miranda Lambert, Little Big Town and more. FrontPage Publicity owner Kathy Best praises, “I consider anyone very lucky to have her on their team.” Contact Tiffany Bearden at [email protected] or (615) 852-6076 www.evolutionprnashville.com.

• • • • •

Sue Fabisch and Ilene Angel won the Avon Voices songwriting competition. They will receive a trip to New York City in November, and attend the Avon Foundation for Women Gala where their winning songs will be performed in front of a tastemaker audience.

(L-R): Sue Fabisch and Ilene Angel

• • • • •

Melissa Schleicher

Make-up artist Melissa Schleicher, with clients including Alan Jackson, Brad Paisley, Carrie Underwood, and Rascal Flatts, is opening a full-service salon and make-up boutique this fall. Parlour 3 will be located at 144 Franklin Rd, Brentwood, TN.

• • • • •

Sugar Hill Records released Kenny Vaughan’s solo debut V earlier this month. Vaughan is a member of Marty Stuart’s Fabulous Superlatives, who also play on the album. Vaughan is a 2006 Instrumentalist of the Year award winner from the Americana Music Association. Veta Cicolello and Theo Antoniadis of Ovvio Arte created the album artwork for V.

Celebrating Vaughan's album release at Earnest Tubb Record Shop (L-R): Vaughn, Stuart and Manuel

Highest Paid Country Stars

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*Urban wasn't ranked in 2011, and Sugarland wasn't ranked in 2010.

 

Forbes’ latest list of “Country Music’s Highest Paid Stars” was released this week, covering gross income earned between May 2010 to May 2011. Major revenue streams for most of the acts on the list includes sponsorships/endorsement deals, touring, publishing income and album sales.

For comparison, MusicRow looked back to the 2010 rankings. Most of the same stars are on both lists, though the graph above shows fluctuations in gross earnings. Ranking for the first time in 2011 is Sugarland.

Forbes reports, “We talked to agents, managers, publishers, lawyers and others in the know to come up with our estimates, which are gross earnings. We do not deduct for taxes or things like agent and manager fees.” See full story here.

2011 Highest Earners
1. Toby Keith $50 million
2. Taylor Swift $45 million
3. Brad Paisley $40 million
4. Tim McGraw $35 million
5. Rascal Flatts $34 million
6. Kenny Chesney $30 million
7. George Strait $24 million
8. Alan Jackson $22 million
9. Carrie Underwood $20 million
10. Sugarland $18 million

2010 Highest Earners
1. Kenny Chesney $50 million
2. Toby Keith $48 million
3. Taylor Swift $45 million
3. Rascal Flatts $45 million
5. Tim McGraw $30 million
6. Keith Urban $28 million
7. George Strait $25 million
8. Brad Paisley $22 million
9. Alan Jackson $15 million
10. Carrie Underwood $13 million

Country Singing A Pretty Sales Tune

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Lady Antebellum performed at Irving Plaza in New York City on Tuesday night as part of their "Own The Night: Unplugged" concert series which also featured plays in Chicago and Los Angeles. (L-R) Charles Kelly, Capitol Nashville Chief Mike Dungan, Hillary Scott and Dave Haywood

 

Lady Antebellum comes roaring out of the physical and digital bins this week to dominate the Nielsen SoundScan sales sphere. The trio’s newest, Own The Night, racked up over 347,000 units (25% digital) giving it the No. 1 position on both the country albums and Top 200 albums charts. The new collection’s performance weighs in a bit light compared with its previous 1/26/10 outing which scanned 481k units, however, at that time the group was enjoying a “perfect storm” single—”Need You Now”—which was exploding across multiple formats on the radio dial. Regardless, with a tour primed to start Nov. 11, and the 4th quarter selling season in front of us, look to see this Capitol Nashville release grow legs and walk out of the stores…

Next as we travel down the dirt road of country sales, we must applaud Big Machine’s “butt kicking” job in taking Brantley Gilbert Halfway To Heaven and reaping almost 51k in the process. Gilbert, who co-wrote Aldean’s “Dirt Road Anthem,” sold 32.5% of his album in digital format. Other new offerings included Kristin Chenoweth at No. 14 with sales of 9k and Reckless Kelly at No.20 with 6k (51% digital) units.

Topping the county digital tracks pile this week was Blake Shelton who reportedly has just renewed his agreement with Warner Music Nashville. Shelton’s “God Gave Me You” was the most downloaded country track with fans clicking almost 55k copies onto their hard drives and MP3 players. The Band Perry’s “If I Die Young” refuses to die, holding down the No. 2 spot with over 53k downloads. Lady Antebellum’s “Just A Kiss” is No. 3 with about 44k clicks. For those who would like to be able to easily integrate their iTunes music with the Android world check out www.doubletwist.com. It’s free and easy.

Looking at country music from across the universe, we see YTD the format’s album sales are up a robust 9.8% while all genre sales have pushed ahead a more modest 3.4%. Look for country’s lead to erode as we move into the all-important fourth quarter since we don’t seem to have enough superstar product to match up against all last year’s offerings. However, we do expect releases from LeAnn Rimes (9/27), Scotty McCreery (10/4), Lauren Alina (10/11), Toby Keith (10/25), Miranda Lambert (11/1) and a Taylor Swift live package (11/21).

DISClaimer Single Reviews (9/21/11)

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Let’s take a break from the Music Row mainstream and listen to some platters that have, shall we say, a little more class?

I refer to records like the new ones by the likes of Matraca Berg, Jeff Bridges and Glen Campbell. Glen brings his Goodbye Tour to the Ryman for shows on Nov. 30 and Dec. 5. Based on his touching musical eloquence on The Tonight Show last week, those should be pretty emotional occasions.

For profoundly moving musical moments, Matraca Berg’s The Dreaming Fields and Glen Campbell’s The Ghost on the Canvas are sharing today’s Disc of the Day award.

The newcomers this week were Taylor Made, Krysti Worley, James Justin & Co., The Farm Inc. and Brian Coy & The Remaining Few. None of them was award worthy.

BRIAN COY & THE REMAINING FEW/Highest Of The Low
Writer: Brian Coy; Producer: Britt Lloyd & Adam Odor; Publisher: none listed; RF (www.theremainingfewmusic.com)
—The bass and guitars are so overly amped that you can hardly hear his muffled voice. Maybe that’s a plus.

BURNS & POE/I Need A Job
Writer: Keith Burns/John Ritter; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Blue Steel (www.burnsandpoe.com)
—It’s an uptempo twang fest with Keith doing the vocal heavy lifting. Best jab at D.C.: “Fire them all, then they’ll be screaming like you and me” or, if you prefer, “Tell them S.O.B.’s I need a J.O.B.”

TAYLOR MADE/Good Love
Writer: Candy Cameron/Tyler Hayes/Michael Boggs; Producer: Dale Morris & Dan Mitchell; Publisher: Rave On/Calhoun Enterprises/Roxboo/My Maxx/Razor & Tie/Upsurge/EM CMG, ASCAP; LGR (615-946-6055)
—This group features a husky-voiced female lead singer who displays plenty of panache on this bluesy outing. The song is catchy, too. Promising.

GLEN CAMPBELL/A Better Place
Writer: Glen Campbell/Julian Raymond; Producer: Julian Raymond & Howard Willing; Publisher: Seventh Son/Maxava, ASCAP; Surfdog (track)
—In a word, heartbreaking. The lead-off track from this mighty music man’s Ghost on the Canvas farewell album is an aching meditation on mortality. “Some days I’m so confused, Lord. My past gets in my way….One thing I know, the world’s been good to me/A better place awaits, you’ll see.” The sterling collection includes six instrumentals, two tunes from Paul Westerberg, one from Jakob Dylan and five originals that pierce your soul. The recording cast includes Chris Isaac, Dick Dale, Brian Setzer and Billy Corgan. The man is saying goodbye with style.

DRAKE JENSEN/All You Need
Writer: D. Jensen/K. Copeland; Producer: Kim Copeland; Publisher: Soaring Eagle/Sage House, SOCAN/ASCAP; Soaring Eagle (track) (www.drakejensen.ca)
—The sophomore single by this Canadian is a dull, plodding outing, but he’s still country to the core.

JEFF BRIDGES /What A Little Bit Of Love Can Do
Writer: S. Bruton/G. Nicholson; Producer: T Bone Burnett; Publisher: Brutunes/Bug/Gary Nicholson/Sony-ATV, BMI/ASCAP; Blue Note (track)
—For his solo CD, Bridges re-teams with his Crazy Heart soundtrack producer T Bone Burnett and works with such guest celebs as Rosanne Cash, Sam Phillips and Ryan Bingham. This kick-off track rumbles along tossing hooks left and right. I’d have preferred a more “open” stripped-down production approach rather than this somewhat heavy handed style. But there’s no denying the Oscar winning actor’s musical talent.

THE FARM INC./Home Sweet Home
Writer: Danny Myrick/Rick Hoffman/Krista Marie/Damien Horne; Producer: Danny Myrick & Nick Hoffman; Publisher: Root 49/Danny Myrickmusic/Tailing Loop/Krista Marie/Mista D, BMI; All In/Elektra/Warner Bros.
—This trio debuts with a stuttering rocker with choppy verses that only hits its stride when it swings into the sunny, melodic harmony-soaked choruses. Then there’s the quasi chanting toward the finale. The whiplash shifts in tone are jarring. A little more consistency, please.

MATRACA BERG/Racing The Angels
Writer: Matraca Berg/Gretchen Peters/Suzy Bogguss; Producer: Matraca Berg; Publisher: Songs of Universal/Hannaberg, BMI; Dualtone (track) (www.matracaberg.com)
—Matraca’s new The Dreaming Fields CD contains her version of her current Kenny Chesney hit “You and Tequila,” but there’s plenty more to recommend it. This ballad, for instance, is a lovely, lilting thing that imagines death as a flight heavenward. For a more bluesy, saucy side of this talented lady, check out “Your Husband’s Cheating on Us.”

JAMES JUSTIN & CO./Dark Country
Writer: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; JJM (track) (www.jamesjustinmusic.com)
—It starts with the sound of thunder, then turns into a moody country rocker with spooky, echoey guitar jangles and a high, pleading vocal. This is evidently their second album, but it’s the first I’ve heard. My gut instinct is to guide them toward Americana Land.

KRYSTI WORLEY/A Bible And A Six-Pack
Writer: Becky Hobbs/Red Jenkins; Producer: Bill Green & Lynn Massey; Publisher: Becka’s Mecca/Red Hot, BMI/STIM; Electric Cactus (210-654-8773)
—Ya gotta love the title. Her overly bright and shiny sound, however, is trying way too hard to be liked.

Bobby Karl Works The ACM Honors

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Chapter 374

One of the cool things about the annual ACM Honors show is that it usually features unexpected and unpredictably wonderful performances.

Or, as host Joe Nichols put it, “You’ll see musical moments here that you won’t see anyplace else.”

Joe Nichols. Photo: Getty Images/Courtesy of the Academy of Country Music

On Monday night at The Ryman Auditorium (9/19), those moments were headed by a celestial sounding The Isaacs, the sizzling Jack Ingram, a hearty collaboration between The Gatlins and Jamaican reggae star Romain Virgo, a soulful Buddy Miller, a tender Dean Dillon, the merrily rocking Brett Eldredge, jaunty Jerrod Niemann and a rich, resonant performance by Nichols, himself.

We were gathered to honor behind-the-scenes folks, achievement in film, international accomplishment, songwriters and lifetime contributors. Following opening remarks by the Academy of Country Music CEO Bob Romeo and Nichols, Robin Meade presented the Industry Awards. Steve “Bogie” Bogdanovich was named Talent Buyer of the Year. Joe’s Bar in Chicago was Nightclub of the Year. Winning its third Casino of the Year was Mohegan Sun Casino of Uncasville, CT. No one showed up to accept that one.

“I guess they’re getting used to this,” quipped Meade.

The Ryman’s Sally Williams earned the eve’s first standing ovation when she won her first ACM as Promoter of the Year. The Ryman was also named Venue of the Year.

“I am the most blessed person in this room,” she said. “I am so honored to be a part of this community….I will work hard to lift you up, just as you have lifted me up.”

Laura Bell Bundy presented the MBI Awards. Aubrey Haynie won his 4th Fiddler of the Year. Eddie Bayers repeated for the 14th time as Drummer of the Year. Dan Dugmore won his 3rd Steel salute, and Gordon Mote earned his 2nd Piano prize. Not present were winners Glenn Worf (bass), Bryan Sutton (specialty instrument), Tom Bukovac (guitar) and Chuck Ainlay (engineer).

Paul Worley was named ACM Producer of the Year for the first time. “You guys are all my family, and I hope I am yours,” he said.

The Tex Ritter Award was presented to the film Country Strong. Gary Overton, who marketed the soundtrack, accepted. “I’ve always wanted to say this: I want to thank the Academy,” he wisecracked. Brett Eldredge, who appeared on that soundtrack, turned in a sprightly “It Ain’t Gotta Be Love.”

Becky, Sonya and Ben of The Isaacs. Photo: Getty Images/Courtesy of the Academy of Country Music

To salute Larry Gatlin & The Gatlin Brothers for their Cliffie Stone Pioneer Award, Thompson Square teamed up with Randy Houser on “Houston.” Then came the stunning medley by The Isaacs of “Broken Lady,” “I Don’t Want to Cry,” “I Just Wish You Were Someone I Love” and “Healin’ Stream,” the last-named of which appeared on their 2009 CD Naturally.

“What a performance,” said a clearly moved Nichols. Amen to that, brother.

The Oak Ridge Boys presented the honor. “I don’t believe there has been a friendship and a brotherhood between two music groups that there is between The Gatlin Brothers and The Oak Ridge Boys,” said the Oaks’ Joe Bonsall.

Larry Gatlin recalled singing backup for the late Dottie West on the Opry at the Ryman. “I don’t think we could have envisioned this,” he said. “The man who loves his job is always on vacation,” he added, expressing gratitude for a life in music. “Thank you. God bless.”

Taylor Swift. Photo: Getty Images/Courtesy of the Academy of Country Music

Taylor Swift, who is multi-Platinum in 14 countries and triumphantly swept around the globe earlier this year, won the Jim Reeves International Award. “I didn’t go to college,” she told us. “I went on this journey that taught me so much….Thank you for giving me the opportunity to study something I really wanted to learn about, country music.”

Longtime ACM Treasurer John Dorris was given the Mae Boren Axton Award. He is, “one of the finest men in Nashville,” said Sharon White before The Whites saluted him with “This World Is Not My Home.” The group has been managed by Dorris for 28 years. Montgomery Gentry, another Dorris client, did “Hillbilly Shoes.” Romain Virgo joined The Gatlins for “All the Gold in California.” On the Reggae Goes Country CD, Virgo transforms the song to suit his style, but at the Ryman he conformed to the Gatlin arrangement, splendidly.

“He’s a man of great integrity and my best friend of 20 years,” said presenter John Michael Montgomery. “If there’s anybody on this earth who’s more blessed and lucky than me, I’d like to shake his hand,” the widely beloved Dorris responded.

Reba McEntire was given the Career Achievement Award by her pal Ronnie Dunn. “After all these years, she’s just as real as the day she rode into town,” he said. In accepting, she recalled having to leave an Opry show as a seven-year-old to upchuck outside on the Ryman steps and that she lost her first award nomination as an ACM contender for New Female Vocalist. “Thank y’all for putting up with me all these years,” she added. “I love y’all to pieces.”

Garth Brooks won the second Cliffie Stone Pioneer Award. Bob Doyle introduced a video where the superstar explained his absence by saying it was “my wife’s birthday.” Rodney Atkins saluted Garth with “Much Too Young to Feel This Damn Old.” Jerrod Niemann offered his co-written “Good Ride Cowboy.”

Jack Ingram. Photo: Getty Images/Courtesy of the Academy of Country Music

Tom T. Hall won the eve’s first Poet’s Award and was saluted by Buddy Miller with “How I Got to Memphis,” by a fiery, rocking Jack Ingram with “Faster Horses” and by Lee Ann Womack with “Harper Valley PTA.” Presenter Ralph Emery noted that the Ryman was dubbed “The Mother Church of Country Music,” by the Opry’s Trudy Stamper, who died in July.

“Every time I get an award, Ralph comes to give it to me,” said Hall during the evening’s most amusing acceptance speech. “God willing, he’ll speak at my funeral, and that will be the end of it.”

The late Hank Cochran (1935-2010) was the other Poet winner. Dean Dillon sang “The Chair,” Joe Nichols did “Miami My Amy” and Jamey Johnson performed a medley of “I Fall to Pieces,” “Make the World Go Away” and “He’s Got You.” Widow Suzi Cochran accepted.

Can I get a witness for the evening’s band? Larry Paxton, Gary Prim, Mark Beckett, Jon E. Conley, Bobby Terry, Mike Johnson, Wyatt Beard and Liana Manis not only looked like they were having a ball, they sounded like it, too. Buddy Cannon was musical director.

The industry people mostly showed up in respectful, award-show cocktail attire. The fans wore jeans and yelled, “I love you!” at their favorites. In the former category were Bobby Cudd, Bob Beckham, Dale Bobo, Dale Dotson, Dave Pomeroy, David Ross, Dan Rogers, Tony Conway, Tony Brown, John Grady, Joe Chambers, Jody Williams, Brenda Colladay, Todd Cassetty, Scott Borchetta, Rod Essig, Fred Foster, Neal Spielberg, Eileen Littlefield, Lane Brody, Narvel Blackstock, Steve & Ree Guyer Buchanan, Peter Cooper, Dixie Hall and Karen Clark.

Photo Spread: NATD Honors Gala

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The Nashville Association of Talent Directors (NATD) saluted industry leaders at an Honors Gala on Wed., Sept. 14 at Nashville’s Hermitage Hotel. 2011 honorees include Nashville Mayor Karl Dean, Country Music Hall of Fame inductees Alabama, Nashville Predators Head Coach Barry Trotz, Agency for the Performing Arts President/CEO Jim Gosnell, and Conway Entertainment Group President Tony Conway.

See complete Bobby Karl coverage here.

Photos courtesy of NATD/Getty Images.

(L-R): Rod Harris, Randy Owen, Jeff Cook and Teddy Gentry of Alabama, and NATD President Steve Tolman.

(L-R): Jim Guerico, Tony Conway, Michael Campbell

(L-R): Ed Bazel of The Bazel Group, Comedian Lewis Black, Jim Gosnell, Bonnie Sugarman and Steve Lassiter (APA) with NATD President Steve Tolman

(L-R): CAA’s Rod Essig, Karl Dean, Steve Tolman

(L-R): Pete Weber and Barry Trotz

Swift’s Sold-Out Traveling Sound Emporium

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Swift's musical pulpit left the stage and traveled around the entire arena so everyone got a close-up view of the artist they had come to see. Photo: David Ross

In “Speak Now,” the album title track, Swift plays the third wheel in a love triangle that ends at the altar with her stealing the groom from the grasp of the bride-to-be. Photo: David Ross

“I’m a hopeless romantic,” Taylor Swift told the 15,000 screaming fans jammed into Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena on Sept. 16. Indeed, her 14-track Speak Now album, which according to Nielsen Soundscan has sold 3.65 million copies in 46 weeks, is packed with stories of love—won and lost. Like a musical Cecil B. Demille, Swift has created an evening full of elaborate song visualizations for her fans to enjoy.

For example, there were fireworks, numerous wardrobe changes, choreography, ballet, acrobatic dancers suspended from a trapeze on bungee cords, snow, and detailed sets. A favorite was the life-size romantic bridge with nine string players perched upon it arching like a rainbow above a bright white piano, played by our star who sang her haunting ballad of regret, “Back To December.”

The “Speak Now” church scene recreated the song’s vivid lyric, complete with stained glass window, pews, bride, and the “snotty little family all dressed in pastels.” As the song ends, Swift ran out through crowd… with the groom!

“When you’re falling in love or losing it, that’s the most intense happiness or sadness and that’s when you need music the most,” Swift told the crowd. Introducing her next song, “Last Kiss,” she opined that although you don’t believe it will ever happen at the time, a first kiss is eventually followed by a last kiss.

Throughout the evening, Swift played piano, acoustic and electric guitars, banjo, ukulele and showcased her accomplished ‘book’ of songs. The crowd screamed, sang along to every song and cheered at each of the star’s glances or expressions. Special guests included Ronnie Dunn, who joined Taylor for a duet of “Bleed Red,” and Paramore’s Hayley Williams who duetted “That’s What You Get.” (see video below)

It’s easy to tag Swift’s popularity as a pop/country culture phenomenon, which it may be. But to dismiss it as such would be a huge oversight. After three multi-platinum albums, sold out international tours, and a slew of songwriter awards too numerous to mention, this unique songstress’ accomplishments have made her a member of the elite group of singer/songwriters that includes greats such as Paul Simon, James Taylor, Roger Miller, Dolly Parton and Kris Kristofferson.

But challenges remain for Swift and her fans as the 21-year-old artist transitions from teen to young woman. Can she maintain current fans while attracting a more mature crowd? Other young artists such as Miley Cyrus and Britney Spears have stumbled while navigating their rites of passage. However Swift’s greatest asset—her songs—may act as a GPS for success if they can continue to navigate through events and emotions to which her fans relate.

“My respect and admiration for her as an artist just shot through the roof while I was watching her go through her 2-hr set. Her voice sounded incredible, she played like a million different instruments, and she told great stories. That is easily my favorite thing about Taylor. Her storytelling. If you haven’t seen her show or never bought one of her albums, you’re seriously missing out. Of all the friends I have who play/write music, I’ve never seen anybody do it all with as much heart and grace as Taylor does.” —Hayley Williams