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Full Scope Rebrands As Average Joe's Management

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(L-R) CEO Ken Madson, and Manager Rusty Harmon


Full Scope Entertainment, the management home to Colt Ford, Ty Stone, and others, has partnered with Average Joe’s Entertainment label to form Average Joe’s Management.
The management firm was established in early 2009 by CEO Ken Madson. He explains, “Since its creation, Full Scope Entertainment has worked closely with Average Joe’s Entertainment. While this will not affect day-to-day management operations, this re-branding is part of a larger effort to grow Average Joe’s Entertainment and Average Joe’s Management.”
Shannon Houchins, CEO of the label, points out that the renaming emphasizes that the management company uses the label’s marketing resources for management clients regardless of whether or not they are signed to the record company.
In addition, Average Joe’s Management has hired Rusty Harmon, who brings with him management clients Bo Bice, Scarletta, and Nick Norman. Harmon got his start working with Hootie & The Blowfish, who went on to worldwide sales of more than 25 million.
Harmon has secured endorsement deals from Budweiser, Nike, BMW, and Gibson for his clients. From 1997-2000 he was President of the Atlantic imprint, Breaking Records.
“At a time when everyone in the music industry is talking about making changes in the way we conduct our business, Average Joe’s has actually done it,” Harmon shares. “I’m thrilled to be on board with such a progressive, aggressive, and proactive management company and record label.”
Additional Nashville management staffers include Houchins, Lex Lipsitz, Andrew Parvin, and Jamie Reeder.
Orlando McGhee will continue at the helm the Atlanta hub of the management company.
The Average Joe’s Management roster lists Anamul House, Bizarre, JB and The Moonshine Band, Nappy Roots, REHAB, Scarletta, Space Capone, The Lacs, Bo Bice, Lauren Briant, Lenny Cooper, Ira Dean, Rachel Farley, Colt Ford, Josh Gracin, Demun Jones, John Michael Montgomery, Nick Norman, Matt Stillwell, Ty Stone, and Morgan Strebler.
Average Joe’s offices are located at 209 10th Ave. S., Suite 337, Nashville, TN 37203. For additional information, visit www.averagejoesmanagement.com or call (615) 733-9983.
Average Joe’s Management Staff contact:
Ken Madson, [email protected]
Shannon Houchins, [email protected]
Rusty Harmon, [email protected]
Orlando McGhee, [email protected]
Lex Lipsitz, [email protected]
Andrew Parvin, [email protected]
Jamie Reeder, [email protected]

Full Scope Rebrands As Average Joe’s Management

/by

(L-R) CEO Ken Madson, and Manager Rusty Harmon

Full Scope Entertainment, the management home to Colt Ford, Ty Stone, and others, has partnered with Average Joe’s Entertainment label to form Average Joe’s Management.

The management firm was established in early 2009 by CEO Ken Madson. He explains, “Since its creation, Full Scope Entertainment has worked closely with Average Joe’s Entertainment. While this will not affect day-to-day management operations, this re-branding is part of a larger effort to grow Average Joe’s Entertainment and Average Joe’s Management.”

Shannon Houchins, CEO of the label, points out that the renaming emphasizes that the management company uses the label’s marketing resources for management clients regardless of whether or not they are signed to the record company.

In addition, Average Joe’s Management has hired Rusty Harmon, who brings with him management clients Bo Bice, Scarletta, and Nick Norman. Harmon got his start working with Hootie & The Blowfish, who went on to worldwide sales of more than 25 million.

Harmon has secured endorsement deals from Budweiser, Nike, BMW, and Gibson for his clients. From 1997-2000 he was President of the Atlantic imprint, Breaking Records.

“At a time when everyone in the music industry is talking about making changes in the way we conduct our business, Average Joe’s has actually done it,” Harmon shares. “I’m thrilled to be on board with such a progressive, aggressive, and proactive management company and record label.”

Additional Nashville management staffers include Houchins, Lex Lipsitz, Andrew Parvin, and Jamie Reeder.

Orlando McGhee will continue at the helm the Atlanta hub of the management company.

The Average Joe’s Management roster lists Anamul House, Bizarre, JB and The Moonshine Band, Nappy Roots, REHAB, Scarletta, Space Capone, The Lacs, Bo Bice, Lauren Briant, Lenny Cooper, Ira Dean, Rachel Farley, Colt Ford, Josh Gracin, Demun Jones, John Michael Montgomery, Nick Norman, Matt Stillwell, Ty Stone, and Morgan Strebler.

Average Joe’s offices are located at 209 10th Ave. S., Suite 337, Nashville, TN 37203. For additional information, visit www.averagejoesmanagement.com or call (615) 733-9983.

Average Joe’s Management Staff contact:

Ken Madson, [email protected]
Shannon Houchins, [email protected]
Rusty Harmon, [email protected]
Orlando McGhee, [email protected]
Lex Lipsitz, [email protected]
Andrew Parvin, [email protected]
Jamie Reeder, [email protected]

The Dirt Drifters "Give Blood"

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Warner Bros. Records’ new band The Dirt Drifters will be giving away 30,000 copies of their debut album entitled This Is My Blood.
Beginning this week, the group will give fans exclusive physical copies of the album at all tour dates. Fans will actually receive two copies of the CD packaged together and separated by a perforation. The Dirt Drifters are recruiting their fans to “get blood” and “give blood” by keeping one disc for themselves and passing along the second album to a friend. Produced by Justin Niebank, the album features their new single “Always A Reason.”

“For us it is all about the music and we want to get it out there,” says lead singer and guitarist Matt Fleener. “We are not asking for anything in return. If you like what you hear, then tear it and pass it along.” Vocalist and guitarist Ryan Fleener adds, “We are so excited for this opportunity and have to give a huge shout out to our label President, John Esposito, for making our dream of sharing our music a reality!”

The band, composed of lead singer/guitarist Matt Fleener, vocalist/guitarist Ryan Fleener, vocalist/guitarist Jeff Middleton, bassist Jeremy Little and drummer Nick Diamond, will be kicking off their “Always A Reason” tour this September.
For more information on The Dirt Drifters and their upcoming shows, visit www.TheDirtDrifters.com.

The Dirt Drifters “Give Blood”

/by

Warner Bros. Records’ new band The Dirt Drifters will be giving away 30,000 copies of their debut album entitled This Is My Blood.

Beginning this week, the group will give fans exclusive physical copies of the album at all tour dates. Fans will actually receive two copies of the CD packaged together and separated by a perforation. The Dirt Drifters are recruiting their fans to “get blood” and “give blood” by keeping one disc for themselves and passing along the second album to a friend. Produced by Justin Niebank, the album features their new single “Always A Reason.”

“For us it is all about the music and we want to get it out there,” says lead singer and guitarist Matt Fleener. “We are not asking for anything in return. If you like what you hear, then tear it and pass it along.” Vocalist and guitarist Ryan Fleener adds, “We are so excited for this opportunity and have to give a huge shout out to our label President, John Esposito, for making our dream of sharing our music a reality!”

The band, composed of lead singer/guitarist Matt Fleener, vocalist/guitarist Ryan Fleener, vocalist/guitarist Jeff Middleton, bassist Jeremy Little and drummer Nick Diamond, will be kicking off their “Always A Reason” tour this September.

For more information on The Dirt Drifters and their upcoming shows, visit www.TheDirtDrifters.com.

Just In—Dates Set For CMA Noms, ASCAP Awards

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Final nominees for the CMA Awards will be revealed Tues., Sept. 6. Details have not been announced.

• The Second Ballot for the CMA Awards is open now through Aug. 23, 5:00 PM/CT
• Final ballot runs Oct. 14— Nov. 1, 5:00 PM/CT
• The 45th Annual CMA Awards will be presented Nov. 9.
 
• • • •

ASCAP’s 49th Annual Country Music Awards are set for Sun., Nov. 6, at Nashville’s Gaylord Opryland.
After being held in September for the last several years, this date change moves the invitation-only event back to Awards Week. The Sunday night celebration will be the first of several ceremonies leading up to the Nov. 9 CMA Awards.
Highlighted by performances, the event will honor ASCAP’s most performed country songs from April 1, 2010 through March 31, 2011, as well as Songwriter of the Year, Songwriter/Artist of the Year, Song of the Year and Publisher of the Year.
“We are thrilled to be honoring the songwriters, publishers and artists behind the biggest hits in country music at one of Nashville’s treasured venues, as the much-loved resort gets back on its feet,” said Tim DuBois, Vice President and Managing Executive, ASCAP Nashville.
• • • •
Previously announced Awards Week events:
Mon., Nov. 7 —
SESAC Nashville Music Awards (invitation only)
Tues., Nov. 8 —BMI Country Awards (invitation only)
Wed., Nov. 9 —CMA Awards air live (8:00-11:00 PM/EST) on ABC from the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville

Pinpointing 2011 Country Sales

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Country album sales are up an astounding 4% YTD as of 8/7/2011 with 22,930,000 units scanned. That is some good news. However, before we open the second bottle of Cristal Champagne (on sale HERE for $295 ea.) it seems appropriate to survey 2010 and compare it with possible expectations and release schedules for 2011.
Graph 1 (above): This line graph shows how 2010 sales increased during the period from mid-August through mid-November.
Graph 2 (right): This shows how the rate of sales increased last year (2010) during the same period covered in Graph 1. Note that late Oct and Nov. show particularly steep increases generated by Taylor Swift, Sugarland, Rascal Flatts and Keith Urban debuts.
Table 1: This table shows the albums and debut week sales totals that occurred between data points on Graph 1.
Table 1: 2010 High Roller Album Debuts
8/15/2010: Blake Shelton-33k
9/5/10: Little Big Town-42k, Trace Adkins-50k
9/19/10: Jamey Johnson-63k
10/3/10: Kenny Chesney-184k, ZBB 153, Billy Currington-45k
10/17/10: Darius Rucker-101k, Band Perry-53k, Toby Keith-71k
10/31/10: Taylor Swift-1,047, Sugarland-202.7
11/21/10: Jason Aldean-193k, Rascal Flatts-165k, Keith Urban-162k, Reba-64k, Brad Paisley Hits-31
 
Looking at 2010 there are 17 “heavy hitter” releases on our list including Taylor Swift’s million plus effort and Sugarland’s 200k+ debut. Then we had Kenny Chesney, Jason Aldean, Keith Urban, Rascal Flatts and Zak Brown Band all in the 150-200k range.
This year’s schedule is not completely revealed, but MusicRow’s upcoming Album Release Calendar currently shows only six power titles ahead— Luke Bryan, Jake Owen, George Strait, Lady Antebellum, LeAnn Rimes and Miranda Lambert. However,  Trace Adkins just debuted (8/7/2011), with 47k (pretty close to last year’s 50k showing) and there are some newcomers on the list like Scotty McCreery and Lauren Alina that are shifting product nicely. Also contributing to 2011’s early lead are solid recent debuts from Eric Church, Blake Shelton, Chris Young and Justin Moore. However, to surpass 2010 country will need to find additional sales ammunition with which to entice consumers especially during this uncooperative economy.
Reader Challenge
Cook up some math-based scenarios and ring in below with your year-end prognostications in the comment area. Country scanned 43.718 million album units in 2010. Guess the correct first three digits of the 2011 sales total and win a free MusicRow subscription! Ready, set, GO!

DISClaimer Single Reviews (8/10/11)

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With temperatures hovering near 100 muggy degrees, day after day, we have definitely reached the Dog Days of Summer in Tune Town.
In weather like this, who the heck feels like making the effort to find new music?
I do. I always do, especially when folks are playing at the top of their games.
This week, those folks include Reba, Jeff Bates and, especially, Danny Gokey. As for Miranda Lambert, she is completely in another league. As excellent as she has been so many times before, she outdoes herself with “Baggage Claim.” Give that Texas Tornado a Disc of the Day.
Newcomer Andy Gibson is off to a flying start. I don’t know when I have heard a debut single as terrific as his “Wanna Make You Love Me.” Welcome to the party, pal. You definitely have what it takes. Here’s a DisCovery Award to wish you well and send you on your way.
RELUCTANT SAINTS/Right Behind You
Writer: B.C. Wilson; Producer: Reluctant Saints & Jonathan Beckner; Publisher: none listed; Inio (track) (www.reluctantsaints.com)
—These roots rockers are receiving airplay on Atlanta’s biggest country station with this choppy, blue-eyed-soul bopper. The playing is cool, and the song is solid. What is lacking is a charismatic lead vocal.
REBA /Somebody’s Chelsea
Writer: Reba/Liz Hengber/Will Robinson; Producer: Dann Huff; Publisher: Zavitson/Red Sox Fan/Sony-ATV Cross Keys/Texoma Ten/Detect An Intruder/Big Loud Bucks, ASCAP/BMI; Starstruck/Valory (track)
—Lovely. A woman yearns to be part of a never-ending love story in this aching, heart-in-throat ballad.
COLTON JAMES/Date With Dixie
Writer: Colton James/Greg Crowe; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed, BMI; Ride ‘N’ High
—Trashy sounding. The too-busy rhythm track is irritating. His vocal tries to hard. The crowd whistling and shouting is overload. The lyric shamelessly name-checks “Free Bird,” “Sweet Home Alabama,” “Keep Your Hands to Yourself,” “The South’s Gonna Do It Again,” “Whiskey River,” “Dixieland Delight” and other Southern staples.
MIRANDA LAMBERT/Baggage Claim
Writer: Miranda Lambert/Natalie Hemby/Luke Laird; Producer: Frank Liddell, Chuck Ainley & Glenn Worf; Publisher: Sony-ATV Tree/Pink Dog/Tiltawhirl/Universal-Careers/High Powered Machine, BMI; Columbia
—She’s wise to his “business trip” and is giving him his walking papers. The crunchy track is beyond cool with its chugging acoustic guitar, organ solo and slapped drumming. And it goes without saying that her vocal is busting with piping-hot personality. Play it again. And again.
TYLER DEAN/That Smile
Writer: Doug Johnson; Producer: Doug Johnson; Publisher: Mike Curb/Sweet Radical, BMI; Curb (CDX)
—Young sounding. The track is as breezy as his soft, romantic vocal.
DANNY GOKEY/Second Hand Heart
Writer: Cary Barlowe/Josh Kear/Shane Stevens; Producer: Mark Bright; Publisher: none listed, SESAC/ASCAP/BMI; 19/RCA (CDX)
—I love this guy’s voice. Here, he’s throaty and slightly raspy on the verses, then brightly mighty and skyward soaring on the choruses of this mid-tempo heart song. An absolutely stirring single.
JEFF BATES/He Wasn’t Like Us
Writer: Jeff Bates/Ben Hayslip/Brandon Kinney; Producer: Mickey Jack Cones & Kenny Beard; Publisher: Warner-Tamerlane/How ‘Bout That Skyline/Kinney Empire/WB/Melissa’s Money/Get a Load of This, BMI/ASCAP; Black River (CDX)
—Jeff returns with a terrific message song about bullying. The ballad follows the progress of a picked-on “slow” kid who grows up to be Jesus. This man’s gripping, deeply soulful voice is particularly potent here.
ANDY GIBSON/Wanna Make You Love Me
Writer: Jim Collins/Bobby Pinson; Producer: James Stroud; Publisher: Music of Cal IV/Music of Stage Three/Bobby’s Song and Salvage/BMG Chrysalis, BMI; R & J (CDX)
—Now here’s a toe tapper with a relentless, heartbeat rhythm. The production is totally in the pocket, the song craftsmanship is superb and, best of all, the singer’s delivery completely owns it with heartfelt tenor honesty. Who is this guy? Why isn’t this on a major label?
SUSAN HERNDON/Land Of The Living
Writer: Herndon; Producer: Lloyd Maines, Bob Livingston & Susan Herndon; Publisher: Okie Turtle, ASCAP; SH (track) (www.susanherndon.com)
—The groove has bopping panache. Her songwriting is characterized by simple charms. She won’t take home any vocal blue ribbons, but still has a sweetly innocent style.
FOLK FAMILY REVIVAL/Come Get Me
Writer: Mason Lankford/Barrett Lankford; Producer: Jeffrey Armstreet; Publisher: Magnolia Red/Poodawalamus, ASCAP; Magnolia Red (track) (www.folkfamilyrevival.com)
—This country rocker takes hold and never lets go. The hallmarks of the band are take-no-prisoners drumming, twanging guitar work and a drawling, conversational lead vocalist with chesty, out-of-breath phrasing. Rootsy and winning.

Shelton Remakes "Footloose" For Warner Soundtrack

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Atlantic Records / Warner Music Nashville will release the movie soundtrack for the upcoming Paramount Pictures film, Footloose. Blake Shelton offers his take on the classic title song, while Victoria Justice and Hunter Hayes duet on the movie’s love theme, “Almost Paradise.” The other remakes of hits from the original soundtrack are “Holding Out For A Hero” by Ella Mae Bowen, and “Let’s Hear It For The Boy” by Jana Kramer.
Coming Sept. 27, the album includes eight new songs from Big & Rich ft. Gretchen Wilson, Cee Lo Green ft. Kenny Wayne Shepherd, The Smashing Pumpkins, David Banner, Whitney Duncan, Lissie, Zac Brown, and A Thousand Horses.

Memphis-bred writer/director Craig Brewer remade Footloose, following his success with films Hustle & Flow, and Black Snake Moan. The storyline recalls the 1984 Kevin Bacon flick, with Bacon’s part being reprised by Kenny Wormald. The new teen in the small town falls in love with Julianne Hough’s character Ariel, the daughter of Dennis Quaid’s character Reverend Shaw Moore.
Footloose Soundtrack tracklisting
1. Footloose – Blake Shelton
2. Where The River Goes – Zac Brown of Zac Brown Band
3. Little Lovin’ – Lissie
4. Holding Out For A Hero – Ella Mae Bowen
5. Let’s Hear It For The Boy – Jana Kramer
6. So Sorry Mama – Whitney Duncan
7. Fake I.D. – Big & Rich feat. Gretchen Wilson
8. Almost Paradise – Victoria Justice & Hunter Hayes
9. Walkin’ Blues – Cee Lo Green feat. Kenny Wayne Shepherd
10. Window Paine – The Smashing Pumpkins
11. Suicide Eyes – A Thousand Horses
12. Dance The Night Away – David Banner

Shelton Remakes “Footloose” For Warner Soundtrack

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Atlantic Records / Warner Music Nashville will release the movie soundtrack for the upcoming Paramount Pictures film, Footloose. Blake Shelton offers his take on the classic title song, while Victoria Justice and Hunter Hayes duet on the movie’s love theme, “Almost Paradise.” The other remakes of hits from the original soundtrack are “Holding Out For A Hero” by Ella Mae Bowen, and “Let’s Hear It For The Boy” by Jana Kramer.

Coming Sept. 27, the album includes eight new songs from Big & Rich ft. Gretchen Wilson, Cee Lo Green ft. Kenny Wayne Shepherd, The Smashing Pumpkins, David Banner, Whitney Duncan, Lissie, Zac Brown, and A Thousand Horses.

Memphis-bred writer/director Craig Brewer remade Footloose, following his success with films Hustle & Flow, and Black Snake Moan. The storyline recalls the 1984 Kevin Bacon flick, with Bacon’s part being reprised by Kenny Wormald. The new teen in the small town falls in love with Julianne Hough’s character Ariel, the daughter of Dennis Quaid’s character Reverend Shaw Moore.

Footloose Soundtrack tracklisting

1. Footloose – Blake Shelton
2. Where The River Goes – Zac Brown of Zac Brown Band
3. Little Lovin’ – Lissie
4. Holding Out For A Hero – Ella Mae Bowen
5. Let’s Hear It For The Boy – Jana Kramer
6. So Sorry Mama – Whitney Duncan
7. Fake I.D. – Big & Rich feat. Gretchen Wilson
8. Almost Paradise – Victoria Justice & Hunter Hayes
9. Walkin’ Blues – Cee Lo Green feat. Kenny Wayne Shepherd
10. Window Paine – The Smashing Pumpkins
11. Suicide Eyes – A Thousand Horses
12. Dance The Night Away – David Banner

CEMB Pipeline Project Shares Findings

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Pipeline student Margaret Shehan and her adviser Grand Ole Opry VP/GM Pete Fisher.


Belmont University’s Pipeline project shared its findings with the entertainment industry last evening at a reception held at Regions Bank (8/8). The Pipeline project, an initiative of the Curb College of Entertainment & Music Business (CEMB), was created as a think tank. Some of the school’s best and brightest students were chosen to participate and charged with developing cutting edge concepts and solutions aimed at helping the entertainment industry.
The nine Pipeline students are:
Chase Geiser, a sophomore Audio Engineering Technology and Philosophy double major.
Kevin Grosch, a senior Songwriting major
Eric Guroff, a junior Entrepreneurship major and Music Business, Production minor
Ross Hill, a junior Music Business and Entrepreneurship double major
Jessica Pangrazio, a sophomore Public Relations major and Music Business minor
Kyara Rafferty, a senior Music Business major and Mass Communications minor
Lisa Sekscinski, a sophomore Political Science major and Music Business minor
Margaret Shehan, a recently graduated Music Business major
Gia Vangieri, a recently graduated Entertainment Industry Studies major and English Writing minor

(L-R) Belmont Sr. Director CEMB Initiatives Sarah Cates; Regions Bank Sr. VP Entertainment & Sports Lisa Harless; and Regions Branch Officer Ann Brock.


CEMB Senior Director of Strategic Initiatives Sarah Cates, who was responsible for helping to move Pipeline from concept to reality was one of several Belmont faculty on hand. “We believe that Belmont students can be at the heart of creative solutions for the entertainment industry,” Cates said. “We are excited to encourage the next generation of innovators.”
Also instrumental in the project’s success was Assistant Professor of Entertainment Industry Studies Sarita Stewart, who is currently pursuing her Ph.D. in Mass Communication with a specialization in Entertainment Media and Statistics. Stewart was the project point person and worked closely with the students. Also in attendance at the event was Belmont University President Bob Fisher and CEMB Dean Wesley A. Bulla.
Industry mentors included Jay Frank, CMT; Pete Fisher, Opry; Tim Fink, SESAC; Beth Mason Laird, BMI; Barry Jeffrey, WME; Mark Montgomery; George Flanigen, Deaton Flanigen; Joe Galante; and Wendell Moore, The Capitol Group.
 
Photos: BossRoss