Tag Archive for: featured-2

Best Cellars Dinner Has Raised Over $2 Million To Date

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Front row (L-R): Dierks Bentley, John Esposito, Jennifer Pientenpol, Tom Black, Jonathan Cain, Joe Galante, Kellie Pickler, Bill Hearn; Back row (L-R): Charles Kelley, Blake Shelton, Dr. Hal Moses, Laura Heatherly, Chef Ken Frank


Martina McBride, Jonathan Cain, Kellie Pickler, Charles Kelly, Amy Grant, Dierks Bentley, Karen Fairchild, Jimi Westbrook, Phillip Sweet, Blake Shelton, Laura Bell Bundy, Kix Brooks, Joe Don Rooney, Lisa Hartman Black, Clint Black and Big Kenny enjoyed gourmet food and world class wines at the Twelfth Annual Eco-Energy Best Cellars Dinner Monday night (4/25). The event raised more than $170,000 for the T.J. Martell Foundation’s cancer research efforts, bringing the grand total to more than $2 million since the event’s inception in 1999.
Guest Chef Ken Frank, Executive Chef and Owner of La Toque in Napa, California, created a four-course meal that was paired with wine from the personal cellars of top wine collectors from around the United States.
The evening included a live auction with auctioneer Big Kenny and his side kick, Nashville wine collector and business entrepreneur, Tom Black. Among the items up for bid were a celebrity dinner at the home of Big Kenny and his wife Christiev; a trip to Southern California for a food and wine experience; a David Yurman necklace and more.
“The Best Cellars Dinner continues to be a special evening that brings together music, food, wine and great people to raise important research dollars,” said event Co-Chairman Bill Hearn. Proceeds from the evening will go to the T.J. Martell Foundation’s mission of funding cancer research at the Frances Williams Preston Laboratories at the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center. 

AristoMedia Celebrates 31 Years with Promotion Fest

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(L-R) Jon Walker, Matt Watkins and Christy Watkins.


The AristoMedia Group, now celebrating its 31st year in operation has announced seven departmental promotions. “I am thrilled that this company is able to stand here and reflect on more than three decades serving the entertainment community in Nashville and beyond,” says AristoMedia President and CEO, Jeff Walker. “I’m extremely proud of this staff and the reputation and relationships AristoMedia has built in this industry.”
The company began as a PR firm but today also includes departments for video promotion and marketing, new media, secondary radio promotion and dance venue marketing. In addition they operate an online digital distribution service, GMV Nashville. For more info visit www.AristoMedia.com
(Click on their names to email congratulations)

  1. Christy Watkins upped to Sr. Director/Publicity
  2. Ryan Moore becomes Publicist/Media Relations Manager
  3. Jon Walker upped to Sr. Director/Digital Initiatives and New Media
  4. Jaime Marconette becomes Video Promotion Manager
  5. Bobbe Morhiser is Manager Dance Club Marketing
  6. Sarah Matlock upped to Radio Promotion Coordinator
  7. Matt Watkins is named AristoMedia Director of Operations

(L-R) Jaime Marconette, Bobbe Morhiser, Ryan Moore and Sarah Matlock


 

Easter Puts Hippity Hop In Country Sales

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Luke Bryan's "Country Girl" topped the Country Tracks chart this week.


According to Nielsen SoundScan, Easter sales added a 7% hip hop to Nashville’s weekly country album sales compared with the previous week, whereas all genre sales only boosted 2%. However, a lack of high profile releases has kept YTD country album sales quite a bit below the all genre benchmark. All genre album sales (YTD thru 4/24/11) are off a respectfully low 1.8%, but country album sales for the same period are down 9%. Total all genre digital track sales are also up 9% YTD. (Unfortunately country digital tracks were not broken out last year, so we don’t have comparisons yet.) Country tracks this week however, compared to the previous one jumped a healthy 12%.
So let’s take a look at the labels and artists which led the “up” week.
Albums
Alison Krauss continues to glide at the top of the country sales list for a second week (after last week’s debut) despite falling off about 49% to 42k units. Most everyone else saw strong unit gains. Filling out the Top 5 were Jason Aldean (No. 2, +31%), Taylor Swift (No. 3, +80%), Country Strong Soundtrack (No. 4, +13%) and ZBB (No. 5, +5%).
Putting country into perspective on the Top 200 all genre album chart finds Krauss at No. 6, Aldean at No. 13 and ZBB at No. 25. Topping the all genre list is Adele who has shifted 1.275 million units in a short 9 weeks. Her new album project 21 sold about 153k units this week.
Tracks
For country it’s all about the men who totally dominate the Digital Genre Country tracks top 5. Luke Bryan’s new “Country Girl” track debuts with over 105k units followed by Blake Shelton’s “Honey Bee” which adds almost 58k to its 245k total units-sold-in-three-weeks. ZBB, Aldean and Thompson Square nab spots 3-5.
Lady A’s “Need You Now” has passed the five million download mark after 68 weeks. Taylor Swift’s “Love Story,” also on the chart for 68 weeks is close behind at about 4.98 million downloads.
Meanwhile, looking at the all genre digital track chart, Adele and Katy Perry can teach the country acts about selling singles. Adele’s “Rolling In the Deep” logged 297k units this week and Perry added 270k downloads of her current single, “E.T.”

Katy Perry and Adele topped the all genre digital tracks chart.

DISClaimer Single Reviews (4/27/11)

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This is not rocket science, people.
Listen up, you indies. In an industry publication, we are interested in who wrote the song, who produced the record, what PRO is representing and who the publisher is. This basic information should be on the disc (not on some accompanying piece of paper that could be separated from it), alongside the title and artist information. More than half the records in this reviewing session lacked at least one of the four key facts. In two cases, all of them were missing.
But just to show how magnanimous I can be, one of those two platters wins a DisCovery Award. Despite keeping me in the dark about its participants, “Twenty Years Late” by David St. Romain gets the nod.
It will come as no surprise to most of you that Kenny Chesney has hit another home run. “You and Tequila” is a minor masterpiece of songwriting, vocal performance and production. And it wins Disc of the Day.
KELLY PARKES/Girl with a Fishing Rod
Writer: Adrienne Follese/Keith Follese/Victoria Shaw/Hillary Scott; Producer: Darran Smith & Mike Borchetta; Publisher: Animal Planet/Midas Magic/Jamanayre/Victoria Shaw/Do Write/Shaw Enuff, SESAC; Lofton Creek (615-288-4234 x101)
—The bouncy, Cajun-accented track is cute. Her voice doesn’t exactly burn down the barn, but is adequate in delivering the clever, nicely crafted lyric.
BRYAN FONTENOT/Too Drunk to Be Drinking
Writer: Carson Chamberlain/Mark Sanders; Producer: Bryan Fontenot; Publisher: Laravista/Songs of Sanderosa/Universal Songs of Polygram/Bug, ASCAP/BMI; Yes (927-254-6955)
—With a title like this, I HAD to listen. As I expected it’s a rowdy, humorous honky tonker. Also predictably, he sounds like the ultimate slob. Worth a smile or two.
DAVID ST. ROMAIN/Twenty Years Late
Writer: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Aria
—Perfect for Mother’s Day. In a heartfelt, soulful voice, he wakes his mom to thank her for everything she did for him and to apologize for his shortcomings. It’s a real shame that it lacks credits, because both the driving production and the songwriting are first rate. [Ed. note: “Twenty Years Late” was written by Aaron Lines, Monty Powell and Troy Verges, with Shawn Pennington producing.]
WHISKEY MYERS/Bar, Guitar and a Honky Tonk Crowd
Writer: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; WM (track) (www.whiskeymyers.com)
—It’s a Southern rawk thang with plenty of punch in the percussion. Most promising.
MARK COOKE/I Love It
Writer: Philip Douglas/Ron Harbin/Jimmy Yeary; Producer: J. Gary Smith & John Smith; Publisher: Curb/Gremlin Corner/Charlie Monk/Pitcher’s Mound/Hookline East, ASCAP; Cotton Valley (www.cvrmusic.com)
—Jittery guitar, stuttering banjo and way-high scampering fiddle set the pace of this sunny ode to his hottie. Just so you know: she has two tattoos, cut-off jeans and an unpredictable personality.
JUSTIN GRANT/Till It Don’t Burn Going Down
Writer: Justin Lantz/Richie Brown; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed, ASCAP; BCR Entertainment
—He has approximately a two-note vocal range. Fortunately, the darkly brooding song doesn’t demand any more.
CHRIS FILER/When it Don’t Come Easy
Writer: Tony Wood/Danny Myrick; Producer: Dennis Dearing; Publisher: BMG Songs/Careers-BMG, ASCAP/BMI; Kidney (track) (www.chrisfilermusic.com)
—The sound is a simple and maybe a little thin, but his singing of this country-rocker is strong and true, and the instrumental support is note perfect, especially that insistent little mandolin. As a song, it is a well constructed homily: “Give it all you got, because it means so much more/When it don’t come easy.”
BRYAN COLE/Talkin’ Dirty
Writer: Tom Paden/Don Ellis/Eddie Kilgallon; Producer: Chuck Ainlay; Publisher: none listed; Perfect Vision  (www.bryancolemusic.com)
—He and his honey like getting outdoors in the mud and muck. He wails with finesse, while electric guitars scream. I’d like to hear what he can do with something a little less frenzied.
LUCY ANGEL/Serious
Writer: Anthony Smith/David Lee Murphy/Chris Wallin; Producer: Anthony Smith; Publisher: Inventor of the Wheel/Old Desperados/Ole, no performance rights listed; GForce (CDX) (www.lucyangel.com)
—Here’s a new theme: We’re gonna party!
KENNY CHESNEY/You and Tequila
Writer: Matraca Berg/Deana Carter; Producer: Buddy Cannon & Kenny Chesney; Publisher: none listed, BMI/ASCAP; BNA (track)
—New England’s Grace Potter provides the harmony vocal on this evocative, sighing ballad. In fact, when she played the Ryman opening for The Avett Brothers last fall, Kenny made a surprise appearance to sing this with her. Simply put, it is a gorgeous piece of work, produced with acoustic perfection and sung with thoughtful resignation. This man just gets better and better.

Aldean Leads CMT Music Award Nominations

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Jason Aldean leads the way with four nominations for the 2011 CMT Music Awards, it was announced this morning (4/27) live on the Today show by CMT’s Evan Farmer and hosts Kathie Lee Gifford and Hoda Kotb.
Following closely behind are Lady Antebellum, Miranda Lambert, Rascal Flatts, Taylor Swift and Zac Brown Band with three nominations each. Also garnering three nominations, their first from CMT, are The Band Perry, who performed on Today as part of the nominations event.
Blake Shelton, Carrie Underwood, Keith Urban, Kenny Chesney, Reba, Sheryl Crow and Sugarland are each nominated for two awards, as are first time nominees Thompson Square and Aaron Lewis.
The 2011 CMT Music Awards mark the 10th anniversary of the awards show and will air live from Nashville on Wednesday, June 8 on CMT and CMT.com. Online fan voting is now open at CMT.com.
The final nominees in each of the 2011 CMT MUSIC AWARDS categories include:
VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Best video of the year; awarded to the artist (male, female, group/duo or collaboration) and the video director. Final nominees announced during live telecast, with final voting held online at CMT.com during the show.

  • Jason Aldean– “My Kinda Party”
  • Kenny Chesney– “The Boys Of Fall”
  • Lady Antebellum– “Hello World”
  • Miranda Lambert– “The House That Built Me”
  • Rascal Flatts– “Why Wait”
  • Sugarland– “Stuck Like Glue”
  • Taylor Swift– “Mine”
  • The Band Perry– “If I Die Young”
  • Carrie Underwood– “Undo It”
  • Zac Brown Band– “Colder Weather”

MALE VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Best video by a male artist; awarded to the artist

  • Jason Aldean– “My Kinda Party”
  • Kenny Chesney– “The Boys Of Fall”
  • Toby Keith– “Bullets In The Gun”
  • Blake Shelton– “Who Are You When I’m Not Looking”
  • Keith Urban– “Without You”

FEMALE VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Best video by a female artist; awarded to the artist

  • Sara Evans– “A Little Bit Stronger”
  • Miranda Lambert– “The House That Built Me”
  • Reba – “Turn On The Radio”
  • Taylor Swift– “Mine”
  • Carrie Underwood– “Undo It”

GROUP VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Best video by a group; awarded to the artists

  • Lady Antebellum– “Hello World”
  • Little Big Town– “Little White Church”
  • Rascal Flatts– “Why Wait”
  • The Band Perry– “If I Die Young”
  • Zac Brown Band– “Colder Weather”

DUO VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Best video by a duo; awarded to the artists

  • Steel Magnolia– “Last Night Again”
  • Sugarland– “Stuck Like Glue”
  • The Civil Wars– “Barton Hollow”
  • The JaneDear Girls– “Wildflower”
  • Thompson Square– “Are You Gonna Kiss Me Or Not”

USAWEEKEND BREAKTHROUGH VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Best video from an artist’s major breakthrough album; awarded to the artist (male, female, or group/duo)

  • Lee Brice– “Love Like Crazy”
  • Aaron Lewis – “Country Boy”
  • Jerrod Niemann– “Lover, Lover”
  • The Band Perry– “If I Die Young”
  • Thompson Square– “Are You Gonna Kiss Me Or Not”

COLLABORATIVE VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Best video that featured a special collaborative appearance by artists; awarded to the artists (individual, group or duo)

  • Jason Aldean with Kelly Clarkson– “Don’t You Wanna Stay”
  • Justin Bieberfeat. Rascal Flatts – “That Should Be Me”
  • Kid Rock feat. Sheryl Crow– “Collide”
  • Aaron Lewis feat. George Jones and Charlie Daniels– “Country Boy”
  • Loretta Lynn, Miranda Lambert and Sheryl Crow– “Coal Miner’s Daughter”

CMT PERFORMANCE OF THE YEAR
Musical performance on a television show, series or variety special on CMT; awarded to the artist (individual, group or duo)

  • Martina McBride and Train– “A Broken Wing” from CMT CROSSROADS: TRAIN AND MARTINA MCBRIDE
  • Reba– “If I Were A Boy” from UNPLUGGED: REBA
  • Darius Rucker and Adele– “Need You Now” from 2010 CMT ARTISTS OF THE YEAR
  • Keith Urban and John Mayer– “Sweet Thing” from CMT CROSSROADS: JOHN MAYER AND KEITH URBAN
  • Zac Brown Band and Jimmy Buffett– “Margaritaville” from CMT CROSSROADS: JIMMY BUFFETT AND ZAC BROWN BAND

BEST WEB VIDEO OF THE YEAR (New for 2011)
Best video created primarily for internet streaming; awarded to the artist (individual, group or duo)

  • Jason Aldean–“My Kinda Party” (Live From The CMT Webcast)
  • Luke Bryan–“It’s A Shore Thing”
  • Lady Antebellum–“Stars Tonight”
  • Blake Shelton–“Kiss My Country Ass”
  • Taylor Swift–“Mine” (Live from the Speak Now Album Release Party)

VIDEO DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR
Best video director of the year; awarded to the director for his or her body of work from the past year

  • Deaton Flanigen (award eligible videos include: Kid Rock and Sheryl Crow’s “Collide” and the JaneDear Girl’s “Wildflower”)
  • Trey Fanjoy (award eligible videos include: Miranda Lambert’s “The House That Built Me” and Blake Shelton’s “Who Are You When I’m Not Looking”)
  • Chris Hicky (award eligible videos include: Carrie Underwood’s “Undo It” and Keith Urban’s “Without You”)
  • David McClister (award eligible videos include: The Band Perry’s “If I Die Young” and LeAnn Rimes’ “Swingin’”)
  • Roman White (award eligible videos include: Lady Antebellum’s “Hello World” and Kellie Pickler’s “Makin’ Me Fall In Love Again”)

Chesney's Latest No. 1 Leads String of Hits From Sony

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Kenny Chesney notched his 22nd career No. 1 with latest single “Live A Little,” creating his own milestone and one for his label group, Sony Music Nashville. This week each of Sony’s four country imprints—Arista Nashville, BNA Records, Columbia Nashville, and RCA Nashville—have artists occupying the top four positions on the country airplay charts. Following BNA’s Chesney are: Sara Evans’ “A Little Bit Stronger,” Miranda Lambert’s “Heart Like Mine,” and Jerrod Niemann’s “What Do You Want.”
On the heels of this feat, Chesney announced that his next single will be the Grace Potter duet “You And Tequila,” shipping to radio later this month. This will be the fourth single from his critically acclaimed Hemingway’s Whiskey—the first three all reached No. 1.
“I’ve always loved the song ‘You and Tequila,’” he says of the Matraca Berg/Deana Carter tune. “I’ve had that song for years and lived with Matraca’s demo for a long time. I was looking for somebody to record it with me and I thought of Grace Potter because I love her singing and love her records. I didn’t know her, but I got in touch with her, played her the song and literally three days later she was in Nashville, and we cut it.”
Chesney and Potter shot the video in locations throughout Malibu last week, and it will be released next month.
Potter will join Chesney for his recently added tour stop on July 8 at Red Rocks Amphitheater in Colorado—the date sold out in ten minutes on Friday (4/22). He’ll play three nights at the famed venue, which will be his first performance there. His Goin’ Coastal Tour has already sold 850,000 tickets this year.
 

David Renzer Leaving Post as UMPG Chairman and CEO

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David Renzer


Universal Music Publishing Group Chairman and CEO David Renzer announced today (4/26) his plans to exit the company. He has been with the publisher 15 years, starting in 1996 with MCA Music Publishing. Renzer was promoted to his current post in 2004.
He shared the news of his departure with staffers today via a lengthy email. He says in the letter that he always viewed age 50 as a milestone, and now at age 51 he wants to devote more time to philanthropic endeavors and “exciting entrepreneurial options.”
“For 15 years I’ve worked 24/7 to build UMPG into the industry’s leading music publishing company,” Renzer told MusicRow. “During that time, I shepherded the company through the purchases of Polygram, Rondor and BMG Music—three of the biggest acquisitions in the history of the music publishing industry.  I worked hard to recast and expand the role of the music publisher, and to collaborate with our companies around the globe in confronting the challenges facing our industry. With UMPG now the industry leader globally, and with an executive team that I believe is second to none, the time feels right to now enjoy more time with family and explore other personal and professional activities. I leave UMPG knowing that the company remains in great hands, with a remarkable catalog and artist roster. I will treasure the relationships I’ve built over the years, with executives and songwriters. This has truly been the most fulfilling work experience of my career.”
The official response from UMG is, “David has informed us that after 15 years running UMPG, a period of remarkable growth for the company which saw it become the industry leader, it is time for him to re-balance his life, spend more time with his family, and concentrate on personal priorities. While we are sorry to see him go, we respect his decision. David has done a monumental job running the company, and we will miss his dedication, creativity, vision and work ethic. UMPG is now an industry leader in Pop, Urban, Latin, Country, Classical, Christian and Production music–with an incredible team of executives around the world. We are poised for exciting growth and creative excellence in the years to come.”
•••••
Biography: At the helm of the leading global music publishing operations, David Renzer, Chairman and CEO, Universal Music Publishing Group (UMPG), is responsible for overseeing the activities of UMPG’s 57 offices in 47 countries.
Since Renzer joined the company (then called MCA Music Publishing) in 1996, UMPG has grown exponentially through direct signings and catalogue acquisitions, including the BMG Music Publishing, Zomba, Polygram and Rondor catalogues. UMPG is the global leader in the areas of Production Music, Christian/Gospel and Classical Music.
Major signings, renewals and deals under Renzer include: the catalogues of Elton John/Bernie Taupin, Justin Bieber, Florence & The Machine, Eminem, Keith Urban, Mariah Carey, U2, Mary J. Blige, Justin Timberlake, Owl City, Alex Da Kid, Tricky Stewart, Leon Russell, Desmond Child, Sean Garrett, Jamie Foxx, Ester Dean, T-Pain, Dave Grohl, The Killers, Juanes, Paul Simon, Bon Jovi, Beastie Boys, 50 Cent, Danny Elfman, the catalogues of Jimi Hendrix, Leonard Bernstein, Bee Gees, Glen Ballard, Cash Money and Notting Hill. Renzer was also responsible for deals with Holland Dozier Holland and the Henry Mancini catalogues, Film/ TV administration deals with Warner Bros. Pictures/Warner Bros. Television, DreamWorks, as well the acquisition of Interscope Publishing, All Nations, Epitaph, Momentum, Forerunner, Marantha Music, EMack and the John Phillips catalogues.
In 2008, UMPG became the first major publisher to offer clients online access to royalty accounts with RoyaltyWindow.com. The ground-breaking royalty tool allows UMPG clients to access their royalty accounts via a secure web-based environment.
Renzer also started a Latin Music Division in 1996. Having won ASCAP’s Music Publisher of the Year four times, UMPG Latin America has concluded deals with: Juan Gabriel, Juanes, Rudy Perez, Gustavo Santaolalla, A.B. Quintanilla III, Jorge Luis Piloto, Wisin & Yandel, the catalogs of Gloria and Emilio Estefan and more.
Recent accolades for the company under Renzer’s leadership include: No. 1 Global Market Leader by Music & Copyright (a position the company has held since 2007); 152 nominations and 30 wins at the 52nd annual GRAMMY awards; Publisher of the Year at ASCAP London Awards; Songwriters of the Year and Song of the Decade at the ASCAP Rhythm & Soul Awards; Publisher of the Year, Song of the Year, Songwriter of the Year at the SESAC Country Awards; Publisher of the Year at BMI Christian Music Awards; Producer of the Year at BMI Urban Awards; and Best Songwriter, Best Song, and Most Performed Song at the Ivors to name a few in 2010 to date.
Renzer began his career at Zomba Music Publishing, where he rose to SVP and GM. During his decade-long career there, Renzer helped Zomba achieve ASCAP’s R&B Publisher of the Year and Pop Publisher of the Year awards.
Renzer sits on the Boards of ASCAP, NMPA, the International Music Publishers Association and the Foundation for Ethnic Understanding. He also serves on the Executive Committee of the Music and Entertainment Division of the City of Hope, and founded Songs of Hope, raising over $1,750,000 for the City of Hope Hospital. He also founded the “Songs of Hope” events benefiting City of Hope, which has raised over $1.75 million to date for the charity.
Renzer received his B.A. from N.Y.U.

CMT's USA Weekend Breakthrough Video Noms Revealed

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Details about the 2011 CMT Awards are starting to emerge with today’s (4/25) announcement of the USA Weekend Breakthrough Video of the Year Award nominees. The fan-voted awards show airs live from Nashville June 8 on CMT and cmt.com.
2011 USA Weekend Breakthrough Video of the Year Nominees:
Lee Brice – “Love Like Crazy”
Aaron Lewis – “Country Boy”
Jerrod Niemann – “Lover, Lover”
The Band Perry – “If I Die Young”
Thompson Square – “Are You Gonna Kiss Me Or Not”
CMT host Evan Farmer will present the remaining awards categories Wednesday (4/27) on NBC’s Today during the 10 am ET hour, which will also feature a performance by The Band Perry. Voting will begin on cmt.com immediately following the announcement.

Blake Shelton Sets Release Date, Debuts On "The Voice"

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Shelton in the coach's seat on "The Voice."


Blake Shelton is having his biggest year yet, and adding to the momentum is today’s (4/25) announcement that he will release a full-length album this summer.
He’s also prepping for tomorrow night’s (4/26) premiere of The Voice on NBC, the singing competition where he is one of the celebrity coaches alongside Christiana Aguilera, Cee Lo Green and Adam Levine.
Shelton’s album is set for release July 12 by Warner Bros., and the lead single “Honey Bee” is his fastest rising to date. It sold over 138,000 digital downloads its first week out—a record for solo male vocalists. More on that here.
He re-teamed with producer Scott Hendricks for the project. Their work together has resulted in numerous hits.
Over the last year or so Shelton’s releases have been non-traditional Six-Pak albums. This sales and marketing strategy offers shorter projects more frequently, which is designed to keep fans interested thanks to less downtime between releases. The Six-Paks are sold at a lower price point, and the strategy seems to have paid off.
Shelton has won six awards in the last year, including CMA Male Vocalist of the Year. He’s notched his first No. 1 album All About Tonight, scored three consecutive No. 1’s (“Who Are You When I’m Not Looking,” “All About Tonight” and “Hillbilly Bone”), and sold out shows on his first headlining tour. And he’s marrying Miranda Lambert next month, in what is sure to be Country’s Royal Wedding.

Jerrod Niemann Goes For The Gold

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Jerrod Niemann’s “What Do You Want” is steadily climbing the charts and it has now become his second RIAA-certified Gold Digital Single. Written by Niemann with Richie Brown and Rachel Bradshaw, “What Do You Want” follows his previous Gold Digital Single and chart-topping hit “Lover, Lover.”
“It is unbelievable. I have loved country music since I was a kid, and I have read so many books, and bought so many albums, and really cared,” says Niemann. “Country music is so much bigger than all of us, so to have two Gold singles is one unbelievable thing, but to me, in country music, that makes it even more special.”
Niemann will soon wrap the final dates on his co-headlining The Higher Education Tour with Lee Brice and Tyler Farr before joining Brad Paisley’s H2O II: Wetter & Wilder World Tour this summer. Check Jerrod’s website for full dates.

During a visit to Sony Music Nashville, Niemann was surprised with a plaque celebrating the RIAA Gold Digital Single certification of “What Do You Want.” He was also presented with a Gold Digital Single plaque for “Lover, Lover,” which hit Gold last August. (L-R): Fitzgerald Hartley’s Bill Simmons; Sea Gayle’s Chris DuBois; SMN Sales VP Kerri Fox-Metoyer; Niemann; SMN Digital Business VP Heather McBee; SMN Chairman & CEO Gary Overton; Arista Nashville Promotion VP Lesly Tyson; and SMN Promotion Senior VP Skip Bishop; and SMN Marketing Senior VP Paul Barnabee. Photo credit: Alan Poizner