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Country Music Hall of Fame Announces New Inductees

Jim Ed Brown and The Browns (seated, L-R) Bonnie, Jim Ed, and Maxine Brown) and The Oak Ridge Boys (L-R): Duane Allen, William Lee Golden, Richard Sterban, and Joe Bonsall) are the newest inductees of the Country Music Hall of Fame. Grady Martin will be inducted posthumously. Photo: Alan Poizner / CMA

Jim Ed Brown and The Browns (seated, L-R) Bonnie, Jim Ed, and Maxine Brown) and The Oak Ridge Boys (L-R): Duane Allen, William Lee Golden, Richard Sterban, and Joe Bonsall) are the newest inductees of the Country Music Hall of Fame. Grady Martin will be inducted posthumously. Photo: Alan Poizner / CMA

Grady Martin, Jim Ed Brown and The Browns, and The Oak Ridge Boys are set to become the newest members of the Country Music Hall of Fame. During a presentation given by the Country Music Association at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum’s Rotunda this morning (March 25), the new inductees for 2015 were announced.

The event was hosted by Brenda Lee.

Joshua Martin speaks on behalf of his father, Grady Martin, who was announced as the newest inductee into the Country Music Hall of Fame in the "Recording and/or Touring Musician Active Prior to 1980" category. Photo: Alan Poizner / CMA

Joshua Martin speaks on behalf of his father, Grady Martin, who was announced as the newest inductee into the Country Music Hall of Fame in the “Recording and/or Touring Musician Active Prior to 1980” category. Photo: Alan Poizner / CMA

Guitarist Grady Martin was part of Nashville’s A-Team, which helped define Nashville music during the Nashville Sound era. Martin will be inducted in the Musician category. By the age of 20, he had appeared on his first recording session, joined the Opry house band, and already hit the road several times. Over the next decade he would become one of Country Music’s most sought after live performers and held positions in the bands of western swing star Paul Howard, the Bailes Brothers, Little Jimmy Dickens, and led Red Foley’s band on ABC-TV’s “Ozark Jubilee.”

He performed on Marty Robbin’s “El Paso,” Willie Nelson’s “On The Road,” Brenda Lee’s “I’m Sorry,” Loretta Lynn’s “Coal Miner’s Daughter,” and Roy Orbison’s “Oh Pretty Woman,” among many others. Martin passed way in 2001 at age 72.

Pictured (L-R): Frank Bumstead, Chairman of Flood, Bumstead, McCready & McCarthy and CMA Board Chairman; Kyle Young, Director of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum; Sarah Trahern, CMA Chief Executive Officer; Jim Ed Brown; Maxine Brown; Bonnie Brown; The Oak Ridge Boys' Duane Allen; Country Music Hall of Fame member Brenda Lee; Joe Bonsall, William Lee Golden, and Richard Sterban of The Oak Ridge Boys; Joshua Martin; Shane McAnally, CMA Awards & Recognition Committee Vice Chairman; Steve Buchanan, President of Opry Entertainment Group and CMA Board member. Photo: Alan Poizner / CMA

Pictured (L-R): Frank Bumstead, Chairman of Flood, Bumstead, McCready & McCarthy and CMA Board Chairman; Kyle Young, Director of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum; Sarah Trahern, CMA Chief Executive Officer; Jim Ed Brown; Maxine Brown; Bonnie Brown; The Oak Ridge Boys’ Duane Allen; Country Music Hall of Fame member Brenda Lee; Joe Bonsall, William Lee Golden, and Richard Sterban of The Oak Ridge Boys; Joshua Martin; Shane McAnally, CMA Awards & Recognition Committee Vice Chairman; Steve Buchanan, President of Opry Entertainment Group and CMA Board member. Photo: Alan Poizner / CMA

The Veteran Era inductees this year are Jim Ed Brown and The Browns. Jim Ed and sisters Maxine and Bonnie rose to fame in the 1950s. Their song “Looking Back to See” became a No. 8 hit on Billboard‘s Country chart. They signed with RCA Records in 1955, working with Chet Atkins, and recording 250 sides for the label. The 1959 song “The Three Bells” topped the pop and Country charts, and rose to No. 10 on the R&B charts. The success of “The Three Bells” and following hits like “The Old Lamplighter” earned them performances on The Ed Sullivan Show, American Bandstand, and The Perry Como Show. They joined the Grand Ole Opry in 1963, and disbanded in 1967 when Maxine and Bonnie chose to retire to raise their families.

Jim Ed followed with a solo career in the 1960s and 1970s, with songs including “Pop A Top,” “Southern Lovin’,” and more.

Jim Ed Brown and The Browns (Maxine, left, and Bonnie) are announced as the newest inductees into the Country Music Hall of Fame in the "Veterans Era Artist" category. Photo: Alan Poizner / CMA

Jim Ed Brown and The Browns (Maxine, left, and Bonnie) are announced as the newest inductees into the Country Music Hall of Fame in the “Veterans Era Artist” category. Photo: Alan Poizner / CMA

“This is an honor. I can’t wait to see our picture hanging up here in bronze,” said Bonnie.

“This is one of the biggest thrills I’ve had in my life,” said Maxine. “We never stopped dreaming the dream. We endured all those hardships because of our love of country music and our love of the artists. A hit record and awards don’t mean very much. They last about a year, but this award from the CMA will last a lifetime and we’re so proud of this.”

Jim Brown recently released the album In Style Again, on Plowboy Records.

Oak Ridge Boys CMHoF Inductees

The Oak Ridge Boys (L-R: Joe Bonsall, Richard Sterban, Duane Allen, and William Lee Golden) are announced as the newest inductees into the Country Music Hall of Fame in the “Modern Era Artist” category. Photo: Alan Poizner / CMA

Modern Era category inductees for 2015 are The Oak Ridge Boys. They earned their first No. 1 in 1978, and have sung harmonies for Johnny Cash, Leon Russell, Bill Monroe, and others. Their biggest hit came in 1981 with “Elvira,” followed by “Bobby Sue,” and “Trying To Love Two Women,” “Beautiful You,” “Fancy Free,” “Make My Life With You,” and others. “American Made” became a classic ad jingle.

They have released 40 albums, and sold in excess of 41 million copies.

“Thank you for deeming us worthy of the most prestigious honor to be bestowed on the Oak Ridge Boys,” said Joe Bonsall. “Thank you for your love and support.”

They thanked longtime manager, Jim Halsey, who they called “our godfather.”

“I’m not turning in my singing britches until we see how that goes,” said William Lee Golden. “Thank you, it’s been a great ride and hopefully it’s not nearly over.”

The inductions will take place during a medallion ceremony to be held later this year. With that induction, the Country Music Hall of Fame will have 127 members.

‘MusicRow’ Reveals 2015 Rising Women Honorees

RWOTR 2015 390x260
MusicRow is excited to reveal the honorees of the fourth annual Rising Women on the Row celebration. The premier event saluting women in the Nashville music industry will be held Tuesday, March 24, 8:30 a.m. at the Omni Nashville.

City National Bank is the presenting sponsor.

Click here for ticket information. This event completely sells out every year.

Kele Currier

Kele Currier

Kele Currier
Director of Strategic Services, ASCAP

Kele Currier brings more than 20 years of experience to ASCAP’s executive team, where she is responsible for assisting writer and publisher members with high-level membership issues and strategic planning. She helps manage the distribution review, as well as awards statistics for the country and Christian genres.

Her career includes helping hit songwriter Craig Wiseman launch his admin company Big Loud Bucks, where she managed the catalogs of Wiseman, Rodney Clawson, Chris Tompkins, Big Tractor Publishing, Extreme Writer’s Group and more. During her time at ole Music Publishing, Currier set up administration in the Nashville office, and was the admin point person for the U.S.

Currier’s career began at SESAC, followed by positions with Opryland Music Group, Alabama band’s Maypop Music Group, and Integrated Copyright Group.

She is a graduate of Leadership Music, and is also involved with professional organizations SOURCE, NMPA and AIMP.

Tiffany Dunn

Tiffany Dunn

Tiffany Dunn
Partner, Loeb & Loeb

Tiffany Dunn has a dual role as partner and manager of the Nashville office of Loeb & Loeb. Her law practice focuses on music and entertainment transactions and intellectual property protection and enforcement. She has extensive knowledge of copyright, trademark and intellectual property law. Dunn has represented B.B. King, Carrie Underwood, The Civil Wars, Vince Gill, Jerrod Niemann, Casting Crowns, Hot Chelle Rae, Old Crow Medicine Show, the John R. Cash Revocable Trust, John Carter Cash, the Grand Ole Opry and Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge.

Dunn is a graduate of Leadership Music, a member of SOURCE, and works with charitable initiatives including City of Hope.

Dawn Gates

Dawn Gates

Dawn Gates
VP Digital Marketing, UMG Nashville

Dawn Gates oversees the Digital Marketing department at UMG Nashville, which encompasses Capitol Records Nashville, EMI Records Nashville, MCA Nashville, and Mercury Nashville. Gates’ realm includes the digital strategies for releases, online marketing promotions, social network campaigns, consumer data research, online ad placements, website, digital downloads, streaming services, mobile interfaces, e-commerce, distribution deals, and more. She works with UMG’s roster of over 35 artists including Luke Bryan, Keith Urban, Lady Antebellum, Eric Church, Sam Hunt, Little Big Town, George Strait, Darius Rucker, Dierks Bentley, Alan Jackson and Kacey Musgraves, to name a few.

Gates is a graduate of Leadership Music, and her fundraising efforts for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society in Nashville made her the organization’s 2011 Woman Of The Year. She is a current mentor at the Nashville Entrepreneur Center’s Project Music.

Jensen Sussman

Jensen Sussman

Jensen Sussman
President/Owner, Sweet Talk Publicity

Since launching Sweet Talk Publicity in 2008, Jensen Sussman has created and led publicity campaigns for Florida Georgia Line, Jake Owen, Kristian Bush, Will Hoge, Frankie Ballard, Chris Lane, Corey Smith, Bart Crow, Dallas Smith, Lee Brice, Bucky Covington, Josh Abbott Band and many others.

Her decade of experience includes working in the publicity departments at Warner Music Nashville, Sony Music Nashville and Equity Music Group. A career stop at Tractenberg & Co. in New York City, adds to her diverse resume, where she handled publicity for coveted beauty brands including Sephora.

Additionally, Sussman is the CEO and co-founder of Women Rock For The Cure, the Nashville-based 501(c)(3) organization committed to connecting and supporting young women facing breast cancer.

Lou Taylor

Lou Taylor

Lou Taylor
CEO/Owner, Tri Star Sports & Entertainment 

Lou Taylor has been the owner and CEO of Tri Star Sports and Entertainment Group for over 23 years, providing business management services to actors, artists and athletes. With offices in Nashville and Los Angeles, Taylor’s clients include Steven Tyler, Britney Spears, Jamie Lynn Spears, Florida Georgia Line, Big & Rich, Casey James, Ben-Hur lead actor Jack Huston, and St. Louis Rams coach Jeff Fisher.

Tri Star’s repertoire offers accounting, financial statement preparation, royalty audits, participation rights audits, tour accounting, production accounting, estate planning and tax filings.

Taylor is a sought-after educator in the NFL and NBA. Having taught classes on financial responsibility, she is known for using extreme visual aides ranging from pythons to 1 million dollars in cash.

Among the numerous organizations Tri Star supports is Mercy Ministries, We Run the Row and Second Harvest Food Bank.

Country Music Hall of Fame Announces Class of 2014

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(L-R): Hank Cochran, Mac Wiseman and Ronnie Milsap

Ronnie Milsap, the late Hank Cochran, and Mac Wiseman were introduced as 2014’s Country Music Hall of Fame inductees during an emotional ceremony the Country Music Association held this morning (April 22) at Nashville’s Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum.

The Hall will induct Milsap in the Modern Era category, Cochran in the Songwriter category and Wiseman in the Veterans Era category. They’ll be honored at an invitation-only ceremony later this year at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum.

CMA CEO Sarah Trahern, CMHoF leader Kyle Young and Kix Brooks welcomed attendees.

Bobby Bare and Suzi Cochran announce the late Hank Cochran as the "Songwriter" inductee. Photo: Alan Poizner / CMA

Bobby Bare and Suzi Cochran announce the late Hank Cochran as the “Songwriter” inductee. Photo: Alan Poizner / CMA


2013’s inductee into the Veteran Era category, Bobby Bare, named Cochran as this year’s induction for that category. “He called himself ‘The Legend’ before he was a legend, and I’ve been his friend for 60 years,” said Bare. Cochran’s wife Susan thanked attendees. “Though I always believed he would get here, I never dreamed it would be me, not Hank, standing here. It’s hard to imagine him without a pen and paper in his hand. He loved words, he loved music, he loved songs, he loved songwriters and he loved the musicians and artists who agave life to his songs.”
Cochran died in 2010. He was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Association International Hall of Fame in 1974. His body of work includes “Ocean Front Property,” “Don’t You Ever Get Tired Of Hurting Me” and “The Chair.” Born in Mississippi, at age 24 Cochran hitchhiked to Hollywood, but ended up in Nashville in 1960. He co-wrote “I Fall to Pieces” with Harlan Howard, as well as “She’s Got You” and “Why Can’t He Be You.” In 1960, he penned “Make The World Go Away,” which became a hit for Ray Price.
Ronnie Milsap is announced as the "Modern Era Artist" inductee. Photo: Alan Poizner / CMA

Ronnie Milsap is announced as the “Modern Era Artist” inductee. Photo: Alan Poizner / CMA


Jo Walker-Meador introduced Mac Wiseman. “This is the height of things that have happened to me in the 70 years I have been in the music business professionally, and I hope I will prove worthy of the honor,” said Wiseman. “I can’t tell you how pleased I am to go in the same year as Hank Cochran.”
The Virginia native began his career as a disc jockey in his home state. He became an upright bass player for country singer Molly O’Day. He played guitar for The Foggy Mountain Boys, and later with Bill Monroe’s Bluegrass Boys. After a performance on the Louisiana Hayride, he became a popular solo artist. He was inducted into the International Bluegrass Music Hall of Honor in 1993.
Pictured (L-R): Bobby Bare, Ronnie Milsap, and Mac Wiseman participate in a panel hosted by Kix Brooks at the 11th Annual CMA Artist Luncheon following the announcement that Milsap and Wiseman are the newest inductees to the Country Music Hall of Fame. Photo: Alan Poizner / CMA

Pictured (L-R): Bobby Bare, Ronnie Milsap, and Mac Wiseman participate in a panel hosted by Kix Brooks at the 11th Annual CMA Artist Luncheon following the announcement that Milsap and Wiseman are the newest inductees to the Country Music Hall of Fame. Photo: Alan Poizner / CMA


Hunter Hayes introduced Ronnie Milsap. “Let the celebration begin! What a wonderful get together,” he said, praising Hayes for his musicianship. “I’ve wanted to be in the Hall of Fame for as long as I remember. I didn’t get to Nashville until I was 30. I’ve often thought if I got here earlier, things would have been different. I thank my friends who have been pulling for me for a long time.”
Milsap is one of the most successful and versatile country singers of his time. His hits include “It Was Almost Like A Song,” “Smoky Mountain Rain,” “There’s No Gettin’ Over Me,” “I Wouldn’t Have Missed It For The World,” “Stranger In My House,” and many others. He has six Grammy awards and 40 No. 1 Country songs to his credit.

The Medallion Ceremony will be held at CMA Theater at the Country Music Hall of Fame later this year.

Weekly Register: Sales Surge Following Grammys, Super Bowl

Albums

Musgraves accepts the Grammy for Country Album of the Year.

Musgraves accepts the Grammy for Country Album of the Year.


Both overall and Country album sales are up this week, with the former up eight percent from last week and the latter up six percent week over week. The Grammys and Super Bowl XLVIII have raised this week’s numbers and propelled sales for several artists. Double Grammy winner Kacey MusgravesSame Trailer, Different Park (Mercury Nashville) is the top Country album (No. 12 overall), rising 177 percent from last week (9.8k units last week, 27k units this week), selling 342k units RTD. Additionally, Grammy winner Lorde’s Pure Heroine rose 86 percent, landing at No. 3 overall, while Imagine DragonsNight Visions rose 65 percent, jumping to No. 8 overall. Finally, sales for The 2014 Grammy Nominees Album by Various Artists rose 47 percent, sitting at No. 2 overall.
Sunday (Feb. 2) night’s Super Bowl XLVII halftime show boosted sales for performer Bruno Mars and accompanying performers Red Hot Chili Peppers. Sales for Mars’ Unorthodox Jukebox increased 180 percent, taking him from No. 18 to No. 7 overall with 42k units sold this week (1.9 million RTD). Mars’ sales also benefited from the singer winning the Grammy for Best Pop Vocal Album. Meanwhile, Red Hot Chili Peppers are enjoying a red hot surge in sales following their performance alongside Mars on Sunday, with their Greatest Hits album rising 445 percent in sales, selling 8k units this week (2.2 million RTD). Past halftime performers, including Beyonce (2013), Madonna (2012) and Black Eyed Peas (2011) have all enjoyed a rise in sales following the Super Bowl.
Although artists across genres enjoyed sales boosts this week, Frozen: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack by Various Artists remains No. 1, selling another 93k units (863k RTD). YTD, overall album sales are down 13.2 percent, while Country album sales are down 16.5 percent.

Tracks

Hunter Hayes“Invisible” is the top Country track this week (swelling from No. 47 to No. 17 overall with a 164 percent rise in sales), selling 91k units (126k RTD). The top Country debut (No. 33 overall) is Eric Church’s “A Man Who Was Gonna Die Young,” selling 49k units. Musgraves’ “Follow Your Arrow” continues to rise, moving to No. 2 (No. 26 overall) with sales up 98 percent from last week.
Katy Perry and Juicy’s “Dark Horse” remains the top overall track, selling 373k units this week and 2.6 million RTD. YTD, overall track sales are down 11 percent, while Country track sales are down 15.4 percent.
Next week’s numbers will include Suzy Bogguss’ Lucky, and debut albums from Eric Paslay and The Haden Triplets.

Weekly Register: Nettles, Pardi and Cash

registerpicThe third week of sales is the charm, with overall album sales up four percent from last week and Country album sales up an impressive 26 percent week over week, with several noteworthy debuts.
Jennifer NettlesThat Girl (Mercury Nashville) is the top Country debut (No. 5 overall), selling 54k units this week. Meanwhile, Rosanne Cash’s River & The Thread (Blue Note Records) debuts at No. 2 (No. 11 overall), selling 19k units. Cash’s album features 11 songs co-written with husband John Leventhal. Jon Pardi’s Write You A Good Song (Capitol Nashville) debuts at No. 3 (No. 14 overall), with 17k units sold.
Another noteworthy debut is Cody Johnson’s Cowboy Like Me (Cody Johnson), which debuts at No. 7, selling 8k units. Finally, Home Free, of NBC’s The Sing Off, release their debut album Crazy Life (Columbia Records), landing at No. 8 with 6k units sold.
Bruce Springsteen’s High Hopes is the top overall debut this week, selling 99k units. YTD, overall album sales are down 13.8 percent, while Country album sales are down 13 percent.
albums (1)tracksThe top Country track is Eric Church’s “Give Me Back My Hometown,” (No. 24 overall), selling 61k units this week (89k RTD). Rascal Flatt’s “Rewind” is the top Country debut, coming in at No. 6 (No. 42 overall), selling 38k units. Additionally, MusicRow’s inaugural Challenge Coin winner Cole Swindell debuts “Hope You Get Lonely Tonight” at No. 8, selling 35k units.
Katy Perry and Juicy’s “Dark Horse” continues as the top overall track, selling 216k units this week and 2 million units RTD. Pop powerhouses Shakira and Rihanna’s “Can’t Remember To Forget You” debuts at No. 16 overall with 82k units sold. YTD, overall track sales are down 11.9 percent, while Country track sales are down 17 percent. This week’s track sales fell short of sales around this time last year, which saw Justin Timberlake’s “Suit and Tie” debut with 315k units sold and The Band Perry’s “Better Dig Two” sell 70k units.
Check back next week to see which Grammy performers experienced a post-show download bump following Sunday night’s show (Jan. 26).

‘MusicRow’ Announces 2014 CRS CountryBreakout Award Performers

CRS12MusicRow Magazine is pleased to announce rising artists Native Run (Show Dog-Universal) and Natalie Stovall and the Drive (HitShop Records) as the performers for the 2014 CRS Meet & Greet and CountryBreakout Awards.
CRS14The invitation-only event will be held in front of an audience of MusicRow subscribed members and radio executives at Margaritaville in downtown Nashville, Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2:00 PM. The ceremony serves as the unofficial kick-off to Country Radio Seminar, which will attract radio broadcasters from across the country for events Feb. 19-21.
In addition to performances, the afternoon will include the presentation of the MusicRow CountryBreakout Awards. Given annually, these honors recognize artists who earned the most airplay on the MusicRow CountryBreakout Chart during the preceding year. For 12 years, the CountryBreakout Chart has led the market for Country radio’s secondary stations.
“Our MusicRow Chart has become more valuable than ever,” said MusicRow Publisher/Owner Sherod Robertson. “Not only does the CountryBreakout Chart give insight to radio’s future trends, but it provides a fluid platform for established artists to expand success and new artists to begin their careers and create initial momentum.”
“Our CRS Meet & Greet and CountryBreakout Awards will not only showcase the talents of two wonderful bands, but will celebrate the artists who have performed on our airwaves throughout the year,” said MusicRow Chart Director Michael Smith.
An in-depth profile of the yet-to-be-announced awards winners will be included in the February/March 2014 edition of MusicRow Magazine, set to debut at the awards ceremony. Copies of the print issue will be available for CRS attendees throughout the Nashville Convention Center, including kiosks in the coffee lounge and conference areas. MusicRow paid subscribers will receive copies by mail. Magazines are also available for purchase anytime at musicrow.com or the magazine’s 17th Avenue headquarters in Nashville.
Invited guests can click here to RSVP.
About the artists performing at MusicRow’s 2014 CRS Meet & Greet and CountryBreakout Awards
Natalie Stovall and the Drive (HitShop Records) – Whether it’s Natalie Stovall’s breathtaking vocals and larger-than-life stage presence, her band’s turbo-charged, take-no prisoners live show, or the collective unit’s barnstorming worldwide tours, Natalie Stovall and The Drive prove they are ready for the spotlight. The band is currently working with famed producer, Paul Worley (Dixie Chicks, Lady Antebellum, Big and Rich, The Band Perry) while the lead single “Baby Come On With It” is rising on the charts. With a trademark lion’s mane of big blonde hair, Natalie and her powerful vocals have gained worldwide popularity since she was 10, performing everywhere from the White House to the Oprah Winfrey Show and the Grand Ole Opry. The multi-talented instrumentalist’s vocals have captivated audiences during more than 200 touring dates each year. Led by the Columbia, Tenn. native, her four-person band includes drummer James Bavendam from Seattle, Chile’s Miguel Cancino on guitar, Zach Morse from Cheyenne, Wy. on bass and vocals, and Redding, Calif. guitarist and vocalist Joel Dormer. Natalie Stovall and The Drive are realizing their dream each day as they perform for fans around the world and finish up their debut record, set to release in 2014.
Native Run (Show Dog-Universal) – Native Run is comprised of Rachel Beauregard and Bryan Dawley, both born and raised with deep roots in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Beauregard and Dawley bring a chemistry and energy to the stage that is unparalleled. They recently moved to Nashville, Tenn., and have been taking the music scene by storm. Having signed with Creative Nation, Combustion Music, Show Dog-Universal and Fusion Music, they are now solely focused on writing their debut album. They’re pop-country meets rock n’ roll, with a deep groove and great hair. The duo has been hailed by Paste Magazine as “The Best of What’s Next,” and they are veterans of The Rock Boat and Austin City Limits Music Festival.

Weekly Register: Justin Moore, Chris Young, Billy Currington

Untitled-2Country album sales are up 695k units over last week with several great debuts this week. Justin Moore’s Off The Beaten Path debuts at the top of the Country chart this week (No. 2 overall) selling 96k units. Chris Young’s A.M. wakes up strong debuting at No. 2 this week (No. 3 overall) with 53k units sold. Billy Currington claims the No. 5 spot (No. 10 overall) debuting this week with his latest album We Are Tonight selling 25k units.
Luke Bryan’s Crash My Party moves to No. 3 (No. 6 overall) selling another 47k units (947k RTD) and Keith Urban’s Fuse maintains its spark, coming in at No. 4 (No. 8 overall) and selling 30k units in its second week (129k RTD). Overall albums are down 6% over prior year while Country albums are down only .2%.
Bryan’s “That’s My Kind Of Night” remains the week’s top country track (No. 11 overall) with another 103k units sold (711k RTD). Tyler Farr’s “Redneck Crazy” holds the second position on the country track chart selling 47k (818k RTD) and No. 25 overall, while Thomas Rhett’s “It Goes Like This” sells another 47k units this week (728k RTD) and sits at No. 3 (No. 26 overall). Top debuts on the Country Tracks chart include Moore’s “Lettin’ The Night Roll” with 13k units sold and Young’s “Who Am I With You” with 11k in sales debuts at No. 36. Currington’s “We Are Tonight” debuts at No. 48 with 8k sold. Overall tracks are down 3.2% while Country tracks are up 5% over prior year.
The top overall album this week is Jack Johnson’s From Here To Now To You selling 117k units, while the top overall track this week is Lorde’s “Royals” selling 306k units (1.6 million RTD).
Next week’s releases include Alan Jackson’s The Bluegrass Album and Willie Nelson’s To All The GirlsThe Kings Of Leon, who helped produce Nashville’s recent Music City Eats festival, will also release their album Mechanical Bull next week.

MusicRow Reveals 2013 Rising Women on the Row

Final_Logo_SponsorMusicRow is proud to announce the honorees who will be saluted as this year’s Rising Women on The Row. The second annual event will honor Cyndi Forman (VP Creative, UMPG Nashville), Cindy Heath (Owner, Monarch Publicity), Beth Laird (Co-Owner/GM, Creative Nation), Cindy Mabe (Sr. Vice President, Marketing, UMG Nashville), and Brandi Simms (Sr. Manager of Membership and Balloting, CMA).
Honorees will be feted at a private sit-down breakfast and awards ceremony set for Friday, March 22 at 8:30 a.m. at Maggiano’s, featuring special guest speaker Mary Ann McCready of Flood, Bumstead, McCready, McCarthey. Read more about McCready here or find information about the event here.

Cyndi Forman

Cyndi Forman


Cyndi Forman
VP Creative, Universal Music Publishing Group

As head of the creative department at UMPG Nashville, Cyndi Forman focuses on artist and writer development, leading the creative staff and finding opportunities for UMPG writers and the UMPG Nashville catalog. Among the top songwriters she works with are Rivers Rutherford, Hunter Hayes and Shane McAnally, to name a few. Known for recognizing talent, she is credited with signing and developing Hayes, and has placed hits including “You & Tequila,” recorded by Kenny Chesney and Grace Potter.
After obtaining a Music Business degree from Belmont University, Forman became Creative Director at Balmur Entertainment. In 2002, she joined Almo Irving Music, which became part of Universal Music Publishing Group a year later. At UMPG she assumed the role of Creative Director, and has continued to rise through the ranks ever since.
Cindy Heath
Owner, Monarch Publicity

Cindy Heath

Cindy Heath


Cindy Heath debuted her publicity company over two years ago where the roster is a mix of established and rising artists and companies including Chris Young, Craig Morgan, Craig Campbell, High Valley, and NRA Country. She launched Monarch Publicity following successful tenures at major labels Sony and Lyric Street.
Heath serves on the board of directors of the Women’s Music Business Association. Her numerous charitable endeavors include Monarch’s pro bono services for the Shalom Foundation, which provides humanitarian assistance to children and families living in extreme poverty. She is involved with the City of Hope Celebrity Softball Challenge to fight cancer, diabetes and other life-threatening diseases, and actively supports Run, Walk, Wheel, & Roll (RWWR), ABLE Youth. Heath is also a Gulch Business Improvement District board member.
Beth Laird
Co-Owner/GM, Creative Nation

bethlaird

Beth Laird


Beth Laird oversees all operations and creative endeavors at Creative Nation, including publishing and career management for songwriters Luke Laird, Barry Dean, Maggie Chapman and Native Run. In the last year, the company has landed 27 cuts and four singles and established partnerships with Universal Music Publishing and Pulse Recording. She also initiated successful collaborations between husband Luke and rising artists Kacey Musgraves and Brett Eldredge.
Before starting Creative Nation, Beth Laird spent five years as a writer/publisher representative at BMI. During her tenure there, she launched BMI BUZZ at the Basement and East Side Sounds, and a Belmont University internship experience called BMI Catalog Cast. She also created the BMI Live program, which pays songwriters of all levels for live performances. These initiatives and more resulted in her being named one of Billboard’s 30 Under 30 in 2010.
Laird currently serves on the boards of Preston Taylor Ministries and Young Entertainment Professionals, and was previously on the Gospel Music Association board. She also organizes volunteer opportunities for Creative Nation’s writers, employees and interns.
Cindy Mabe

Cindy Mabe


Cindy Mabe
Sr. Vice President, Marketing, UMG Nashville

Cindy Mabe orchestrates the label group’s marketing efforts for its extensive roster. She oversees Creative Services, Digital Marketing, Marketing, International and Media Marketing divisions for all four Universal labels (Capitol, EMI, Mercury and MCA). Mabe joined Capitol Records Nashville in 2007 and was promoted to her current post following Universal’s purchase of Capitol/EMI in 2012. Prior to that she worked for the Sony Music Group for 13 years.
Mabe has overseen marketing campaigns that yielded fifteen No. 1 albums during her time at Capitol, and been pivotal in developing the exceptional careers of Luke Bryan, Eric Church, Lady Antebellum and Darius Rucker. Most recently, she and her team scored with successful albums by Little Big Town and Gary Allan. Mabe’s community service endeavors include the Pencil Foundation Board.
Brandi Simms
Sr. Manager of Membership and Balloting, Country Music Association
Brandi Simms

Brandi Simms


Since joining CMA in 2001, Brandi Simms has been consistently promoted, and currently oversees all balloting for the CMA Awards, CMA Broadcast Awards, and the Country Music Hall of Fame elections. In recent years this role included updating the CMA Awards balloting process, and the re-launch of the SRO touring awards.
Simms also works with the CMA Board of Directors, where she manages board member elections, board communication and activities. For the organization’s general membership, she focuses on growing and retaining members by offering engagement, networking, healthcare and educational opportunities.
Outside CMA, Simms is active in numerous organizations, including serving on the board of directors of the Salvation Army. She previously spent three years as president of the Women’s Music Business Association, and remains an active board member.
The second annual Rising Women on the Row event is sponsored by City National Bank.

No. 1 Party: The Band Perry's 'Better Dig Two'

Pictured (L-R): Larga Vista Music's Stephanie Cox; Bigger Picture's Jeff Carlton; Little Blue Egg's Robin Palmer; ASCAP's Robert Filhart; Shane McAnally; Brandy Clark; Trevor Rosen; The Band Perry's Neil, Kimberly and Reid Perry; Dann Huff; BMLG's Scott Borchetta and Jimmy Harnen. Photo by Fred Breedon.

Pictured (L-R): Larga Vista Music’s Stephanie Cox; Bigger Picture’s Jeff Carlton; Little Blue Egg’s Robin Palmer; ASCAP’s Robert Filhart; Shane McAnally; Brandy Clark; Trevor Rosen; The Band Perry’s Neil, Kimberly and Reid Perry; Dann Huff; BMLG’s Scott Borchetta and Jimmy Harnen. Photo by Fred Breedon.


It may have been a cold Tuesday night (March 5), but there was plenty of heated excitement inside the Hard Rock Cafe as the industry elite gathered to celebrate The Band Perry‘s third No. 1 hit, “Better Dig Two.” Written by Brandy Clark, Shane McAnally and Trevor Rosen, the song is published by Little Blue Egg, Rehits Music, Bigger Picture, and Vista Loma Music.
Hosted by ASCAP’s Robert Filhart, the celebrated chart-topper is the first single from The Band Perry’s upcoming sophomore album Pioneer, slated for an April 2 release. Produced by Dann Huff, “Better Dig Two” is Huff’s 34th No. 1 single.
It was a standing room-only crowd as Exec. VP of Big Machine Label Group Jimmy Harnen shared, “It takes a village to break an act,” adding the song was the band’s highest charting debut at 30 with 91 stations on in its first week. Giving thanks to everyone involved, CEO of BMLG Scott Borchetta told the writers and publishers, “Thank you for a brilliant song. This song just kills us.”
President/Owner of Wrensong, Ree Guyer handed out accolades on behalf of the song publishers and shared, “We had ‘demo-itus’ of this song, but you [Dann Huff] took it to another level.” Sr. Manager Brandi Simms also bestowed honors with the coveted No. 1 medallions from the CMA.
The Band Perry’s Kimberly Perry joined her brothers onstage to thank the incredible team behind their hit adding, “It truly is a sacred relationship between the songwriter and the artist.”
Co-writer Clark gave heartwarming thanks to many including Big Machine VP of A&R, Allison Jones stating, “She has always been a champion of my songs.” Clark received her first cut in 2006 and “Better Dig Two” is her first No. 1 song. Clark said, “I feel more supported than my heart can even hold.” Co-writer Rosen, who signed with Guyer and co-writer McAnally almost 10 years after moving to Nashville, shared, “To get to this point, it requires a lot of people to believe in you.” McAnally joked, “I’m a little bit afraid of Kimberly after the performance of this song,” adding a sincere reflection, “I’ve had an unbelievably blessed year.”
 

ASCAP Announces Creative Team, Appoints Director of Strategic Services

LeAnn Phelan and Michael Martin

LeAnn Phelan and Michael Martin


ASCAP adds Nashville music industry veteran Kele Currier as Director of Strategic Services. Currier’s appointment coincides with the elevation of Michael Martin and LeAnn Phelan to oversee ASCAP’s Nashville operations and lead the creative team of Mike Sistad, Ryan Beuschel, Robert Filhart, Evyn Mustoe and Anna Maki. Although Martin and Phelan have been working in this capacity for some time, this is the first official announcement of their expanded leadership roles.
“Michael and LeAnn have consistently proven their excellence as a creative resource to the Nashville community and their commitment to delivering exceptional service to ASCAP’s members,” says ASCAP Executive VP of Membership, Randy Grimmett. “We are excited to welcome Kele Currier, whose expertise in royalty collection and copyright administration will only enhance the outstanding level of service our Nashville team endeavors to provide.”
Kele Currier

Kele Currier


Currier’s 19 years of industry experience includes copyright administration, licensing, and royalty collections for catalog acquisitions and administration clients. She joined Toronto-based ole as Director of Administration in 2010 and established the company’s first Nashville-based administration presence. Prior to joining ole, the Belmont graduate was recruited by ASCAP hit songwriter Craig Wiseman to help start his publishing administration company, Big Loud Bucks. Her business experience also includes copyright administration and licensing positions with several well-established local publishers, as well as, a four-year stint as audit manager for Integrated Copyright Group.
Currier is a board member of the Copyright Society of the South, and a member of SOURCE, and the CMA.