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Little Champion Signs Jennifer Kennard

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(L-R): Martina McBride, Jennifer Kennard, Glenn Middleworth and John McBride.


Little Champion Music LLC and principals John and Martina McBride have signed Jennifer Kennard to Songs Of Blackbird (BMI). Senior Creative Director, Glenn Middleworth, says “We’re looking forward to a long term relationship with Jennifer and expect great songs to come from her skill set of creativity, energy, enthusiasm and networking. Jennifer comes to Songs Of Blackbird with a proven track record, including a cut, ‘Virginia Bluebell’ on the current platinum selling Miranda Lambert album, among many others.”
Little Champion Music (ASCAP)/Songs Of Blackbird (BMI) is the publishing arm of Blackbird Studios. The three-year old company also includes award winning songwriter Rachel Thibodeau, who co-wrote the current chart-climbing Steve Holy single, “Love Don’t Run,” and up-and-coming singer/songwriter Jason Sever.

(L-R): Martina McBride, Jason Sever, Rachel Thibodeau, Jennifer Kennard, Glenn Middleworth and John McBride.

DISClaimer Single Reviews (3/16/11)

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This week, let’s do like the televised awards shows do.

Our Female Vocalist of the Week is Amber Hayes. Her sophomore single is every bit as lively, fun and delightful as her debut. I remain a fan.

The Male Vocalist of the Week is no stranger to DisClaimer honors. It’s Eric Church, who has won more prizes from this column than any other artist. “Homeboy” is just one more reason to love and revere him.

The winner of Group of the Week is Gloriana. Is there any other group in this genre that looks and sounds this good? I think not. These four kids deserve to become superstars.

So give all three of those releases a Disc of the Day award.

Chase Rice lost by just one vote on the reality show Survivor: Nicaragua. In addition, he is notable as a former University of North Carolina linebacker and as a member of the NASCAR pit crew for driver Ryan Newman. Now he has yet another career, as a country singer with a “spring break” single. He also has a DisCovery Award.

AMBER HAYES/Wait

Writer: Amber Hayes/Bill DiLuigi/Mark Conklin; Producer: none listed; Publisher: Okie Girl/888 Blue/Jive Buddha, ASCAP; FUNL (888-875-1617 ext. 102)

—As before, she’s a twirling, swirling confection of pop-pop-pop fizz. Enjoy the moment. Get up and dance around the room. Grin while that steel takes its soaring solo. Laugh while you sing along deliriously.

ERIC CHURCH/Homeboy

Writer: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Capitol Nashville (ERG)

—Superbly written, it’s a cautionary, minor-key address to a hip hopper heading down the wrong path. Everything this artist puts out raises the bar, burns with integrity and is a credit to this genre.

GLORIANA/Wanna Take You Home

Writer: Tom Gossin/Matt Serletic/Wendell Mobley; Producer: Matt Serletic; Publisher: Gossin/Melusic/Primary Wave Emblem/Warner-Tamerlane/Boatwright Baby, ASCAP/BMI; Emblem/Warner Bros.

—It’s pretty direct. He wants to have sex. Tonight. The joyous track is a choppy, chunky bopper, laced with fiddle and steel. As usual, their chorus harmonies are captivating. Catchy in the extreme.

CHASE RICE/Buzz Back

Writer: C. Rice/J. Rice/B. Kelley; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Artist Revolution (877-999-9975)

—He’s hung over, but not for long. Rocking and promising, this is the debut country single from the first runner up on TV’s Survivor: Nicaragua.

GREG HANNA/Makin’ Love Real

Writer: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Pheromone/Paradigm/Megaforce/RED (www.greghanna.com)

—It’s an over-the-top romance ballad that’s taken at a v-e-r-y slow pace, but his singing is so pure and true that it overcame any reservations I had about it.

THE NEW RELICS/Dixie Queen

Writer: J. Edmondson/D. Edmondson/A. Patrick/A. Heller; Producer: Joshua Swiger & The New Relics; Publisher: Supo Lavo, BMI; Blues Alley

—The third radio single by this band features hearty harmony singing and a rollicking instrumental performance. But there’s something faintly junky about the sound. I recommend a production upgrade.

EMERSON DRIVE/Let Your Love Speak

Writer: Danick Dupelle/Josh Bartholomew/Steven Lee  Olsen; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Quarterback (615-438-7667)

—The reggae-flavored rhythm and echo chambered baritone vocal are both ear catching. The song has hooks a-plenty.

ADAM FISHER/Freight Train

Writer: Adam Fisher/Josh Taylor; Producer: Eric Paul; Publisher: none listed; AF

—If I remember correctly, I have liked this guy in the past. He sings with great gusto here. The song, guitar work and production are either an homage to or are slavishly imitative of Waylon Jennings, depending on your point of view.

JEFF COOK & THE ALLSTAR GOODTIME BAND/Waitin’ On Willie To Sing

Writer: E. Todd/C. Owens; Producer: Jeff Cook; Publisher: none listed, BMI; Quest (CDX) (www.jeffcook-agb.com)

—Sung with a weary smile, he name drops “Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain,” “Whiskey River,” “Always on My Mind,” “On the Road Again” and “Good Hearted Woman.” Plus, there’s an acoustic guitar playing in dropped-note Willie fashion. Enjoyable.

TYSON BOWMAN/Thank God For People

Writer: Tyson Bowman/Vince Lambert/Judy Rodman; Producer: Val Lupescu & Rick Filer; Publisher: none listed; Guitar Shark (track) (www.tysonbowman.com)

—The title tune to this fellow’s CD is an ode to understanding, opportunity and unselfishness. Heartfelt, if vocally wobbly.

Netflix Enjoys Strong Streaming Lead But Future Is Cloudy

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According to NPD VideoWatch Digital tracking service, Netflix’s share of digital movie units, downloaded or streamed totaled 61% during Jan. and Feb. 2011. Comcast earned 8% and DirectTV, Time Warner Cable and Apple enjoyed a three-way tie with 4% each. The data for this study was gathered via online interviews with U.S. consumers age 13 and older conducted between Jan. and the third week of Feb. 2011. There were 10,618 completed surveys.
“Sales of DVDs and Blu-ray Discs still drive most home-video revenue, but VOD and other digital options are now beginning to make inroads with consumers,” said Russ Crupnick, entertainment industry analyst for NPD. “Overwhelmingly, digital movie buyers do not believe physical discs are out of fashion, but their digital transactions were motivated by the immediate access and ease of acquisition provided by streaming and downloading digital video files.”
NPD also asked consumers to compare satisfaction from the four modes of digital-video acquisition: electronic sell-through (EST), Internet VOD (iVOD), cable VOD, and subscription streaming. EST services like iTunes were credited with having the most current releases, while Netflix was called “Best Shopping experience and value for price paid.”
According to a recent Wrap.com Netflix discussion, “perhaps 5 million or more of its 20 million monthly subscribers are now using the streaming service instead of getting their DVDs in the mail. In the process Netflix saves hugely in its postage and handling charges.”
However, there are clouds on the horizon for this company that streams its content from the cloud. Netflix’s 3-year licensing contracts for the electronic transmission of both movies and TV programs will begin expiring in just 7 months. Because the streaming business is now viewed as a competitive challenge to more mature licensing areas such as cable and satellite, it is expected that Netflix will end up paying much higher rates going forward. This means that either prices for the service will rise or Netflix will need to add a large additional number of subscribers, or both. This impending crunch also comes at a time when other competitors such as Amazon, Apple, Facebook and Google are entering the space.

Star-Studded TV Special Celebrates Kenny Rogers' 50-year Career

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(L-R): Smokey Robinson, Linda Davis, Chris Isaak, Dolly Parton, Kenny Rogers, Lionel Richie, and the Oak Ride Boys perform during the TV taping in April 2010. Photo: Rahav Segev/Retna Ltd.


Kenny Rogers is the subject of a new GAC special documenting his 50-year career. Taped at the MGM Grand At Foxwoods in Connecticut, the performance show features Rogers with a slew of guests including: Dolly Parton, Lionel Richie, Alison Krauss, Smokey Robinson, Chris Issak, Tim McGraw, Wynonna, Billy Currington, Darius Rucker, Sheena Easton, The Oak Ridge Boys, and the original First Edition.
Kenny Rogers: The First 50 Years will debut tonight (3/8) at 8:30 p.m. EST on Great American Country (GAC). Executive Producer/Writer Kelly Junkermann mixed in vintage clips and interviews with the live performances.
Rogers has also released his first Gospel album, exclusively at Cracker Barrel. The Love of God collection features guest vocals by Point of Grace, The Whites and others. Among the beloved songs on the album are “Will The Circle Be Unbroken,” “I’ll Fly Away,” “Amazing Grace,” and “Leaning On The Everlasting Arms.”

Lionel Richie, Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers perform. Photo credit: Rahav Segev/ Retna Ltd.

Jobs Unveils iPad 2

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Apple’s visionary genius, Steve Jobs made an unscheduled appearance at today’s unveiling of the iPad 2 (3/2) at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts in San Francisco. Jobs, who has been on leave for health reasons, received a standing ovation.
Among the many technical announcements concerning the updated device, Jobs also noted that Random House was the most recent publisher to add its books to the iTunes digital storefront—more than 17,000 titles. Apple has sold over 100 million iPhones and in the past 9 months delivered over 15 million iPads.
The iPad operating system is also being updated to IOS 4.3 which will include face time video calling between mac computers, iPhones, iPads and the new iPod Touch.
iPad 2 will ship on March 11. It is one-third thinner than the original model and weighs 1.3 pounds. (iPad was 1.5 pounds.) Prices will be the same for the Wi-Fi and 3G models as with the previous models. Added features include front and rear facing cameras, a new A5 dual-core processor which greatly speeds graphic processing without draining battery additional power (10-hour life between charges). The iPad 2 will be available in black and white and work with both the AT&T and Verizon networks.
A new output cable allows mirrored HDMI video to be output to TVs for 1080p high-def output.

Country Music Hall of Fame Names New Class

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Reba McEntire, Bobby Braddock, and Jean Shepard will be inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame.

Modern Era: Reba McEntire
Reba has sold more than 55 million albums worldwide, and to date has achieved 35 No. 1 singles. She has received 6 CMA Awards, and 2 Grammy Awards.
McEntire’s career got off to a slow start, but by 1984 she soaring. That year she won the CMA Female Vocalist of the Year Award for the first time. She would go on to win this Award for four consecutive years (1984-1987), and is currently tied with Martina McBride for the most wins in this category. The year 1986 brought further honors, as she joined the Grand Ole Opry, and was named CMA Entertainer of the Year.
After getting a taste of acting from her music videos, Reba began exploring her options in Hollywood. She first appeared in the 1990 hit Tremors, and went on to be in many more films, as well as star in her own TV sitcom. Further diversifying, she launched a successful clothing and home goods line at Dillard’s.
But she was never far away from the music, continuing to chart huge hits throughout the ‘90s and into present day. Some of her best known songs include “You Lie,” “Rumor Has It,” “Fancy,” “Is There Life Out There,” “The Night the Lights Went Out In Georgia,” “Take It Back,” “The Heart Won’t Lie” (a duet with Vince Gill), and “Does He Love You” (a duet with Linda Davis, which a CMA as well a Grammy Award).
She was unable to attend today’s event because she is in Tulsa, OK, where her father is in the hospital following a stroke. In a statement she said, “It is a wonderful honor and a very emotional time in my life.”
Veterans Era: Jean Shepard
Often called The Grand Lady of the Grand Ole Opry, Shepard charted 44 hits between 1953 and 1978, starting with her first hit, the Ferlin Husky duet “A Dear John Letter.” She has been a member of the Grand Ole Opry for more than 50 years.
Hank Thompson helped Shepard get a deal at Capitol Records in 1952 and connected her with his producer, Ken Nelson.
She would go on to have hits with songs such as “Twice the Lovin’ in Half the Time,” “Don’t Fall in Love With a Married Man,” “The Root of All Evil (Is a Man),” and “The Other Woman,” all songs that presented a strong and, rare for that era, empowered female point of view, which later influenced artists including Loretta Lynn and Jeannie C. Riley.
In 1955, Shepard reached No. 4 on the Billboard Country Singles Chart with “A Satisfied Mind.” Her success continued throughout the ‘60s and ‘70s, including joining the cast of ABC Television’s Ozark Jubilee.
Songwriter category: Bobby Braddock
Bobby Braddock has been writing hit songs in Nashville for five decades, leaving an indelible mark on the city’s musical landscape. He is known for classics like “D-I-V-O-R-C-E” and “He Stopped Loving Her Today,” to more modern hits like “I Wanna Talk About Me” and the recent “People Are Crazy.”
Braddock moved to Nashville in 1964 and soon became the piano player for Marty Robbins. A year later, Robbins had a hit single with the Braddock-penned “While You’re Dancing.” Braddock released three major label albums and also performed in Country Music-themed movies, such as Music City U.S.A (1966) along with Loretta Lynn, and fellow inductee Jean Shepard.
His success continued in the ’90s with major hits like “Time Marches On” and “All My Old Flames Have New Names.”
His talents also extended to the producer chair, where he worked on Blake Shelton’s first five albums.
Braddock, who is also a member of the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame, responded at today’s event, “I feel like Minnie Pearl— I’m just so proud to be here.”

••••••
The Country Music Association revealed the 2011 inductees for the Country Music Hall of Fame today, (3/1) at a private press event hosted by Kix Brooks. For the first time ever, CMA invited the general public to watch the highly-anticipated announcement live via Ustream at CMAworld.com.
The three induction categories are:
• Modern Era (eligible for induction in this category 20 years after they first achieve national prominence).
• Non-Performer, Songwriter, and Recording and/or Touring Musician active prior to 1980 (rotates every 3 years).
• Veterans Era (eligible for induction in this category 45 years after they first achieve national prominence).
CMA created the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1961 to recognize noteworthy individuals for their outstanding contributions to the format with Country Music’s highest honor. After today’s announcement, there will be 115 inductees in the Country Music Hall of Fame.

SESAC Names Jason Ingram Christian Songwriter of Year

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(L-R): SESAC's Tim Fink, Jason Ingram, SESAC's John Mullins & Trevor Gale. Photo: Ed Rode


2010 CHRISTIAN SONGWRITER: Jason Ingram
2010 CHRISTIAN PUBLISHER: Sony/ATV Timber Publishing
-Performing rights organization, SESAC, named Christian songwriter/producer Jason Ingram as its 2010 Christian Songwriter of the Year at ceremonies held 2/24 at Nashville’s Hutton Hotel. Sony ATV Timber Publishing was named SESAC’s 2010 Christian Publisher of the Year. Over 25 songs were acknowledged at the awards dinner which was hosted by SESAC’s Tim Fink and John Mullins.
Ingram was honored for work in the Christian format with hits such as “Keep Changing The World” by Mikeschair, “Light Up The Sky” by The Afters and “Healing Begins” by Tenth Avenue North. Other SESAC winners included Christian songsmiths Cary Barlowe, Ian Eskelin, Michael Donehey, Regie Hamm and Tiffany Arbuckle Lee.
A simple but elegant version of  “Born Again,” one of the evening’s honored songs, was performed by Seth Mosley who wrote the song with his partner, Juan Otero. Mosley and Otero make up the writing team, The Wright Brothers. SESAC also took the opportunity to acknowledge and reward the #1 songs that topped Billboard’s Christian charts in 2010.

Arista Promo Team Aligns Under Tyson, Sigler; Hires Dokke

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(L-R): Lesly Tyson, John Sigler, Ryan Dokke


Arista Nashville is announcing a reworked promotion team in time for next week’s Country Radio Seminar.
The label has promoted Lesly Tyson to Vice President, Promotion, and John Sigler to National Director, Promotion.
Joining the department effective Mon., Feb. 28 is Ryan Dokke, who will serve as Manager, Regional Promotion. Based in the label’s Nashville headquarters, Dokke arrives at Arista Nashville with more than a decade of experience in country radio, most recently as Asst. Program Director, Music Director, and on-air personality for WKKT-FM in Charlotte, NC.
The promotions of Tyson and Sigler were revealed as part of a larger company-wide restructuring earlier this month. Sony Music Nashville Sr. VP, Promotion Skip Bishop announced the promotion of Tyson, who in turn named Sigler to her previous role.
Tyson first came to the Sony family in 2004. Sigler joined Arista Nashville in 2007.

Garth Brooks, Leon Russell To Join Songwriters Hall

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Garth Brooks (L), Leon Russell (R)


Garth Brooks, Leon Russell, John Bettis, Billy Steinberg & Tom Kelly and Allen Toussaint will become the newest members of the Songwriters Hall of Fame at the organization’s 42nd Annual Induction and Awards Dinner. The event is set for Thursday, June 16 at the Marriott Marquis Hotel in New York City.
Certified by the RIAA as the No. 1 selling solo artist in U.S. history, Brooks has sold more than 128 million albums and is the only solo artist in RIAA history to have six albums top the 10 million mark. As a songwriter his credits include “If Tomorrow Never Comes,” “The Thunder Rolls,” “Unanswered Prayers” and more.
Fellow inductee Leon Russell has been busy collaborating with Elton John. His songwriting credits include “A Song For You,” “This Masquerade,” ” Delta Lady,” “Tight Rope,” “Bluebird,” “Back To The Island,” and “Hummingbird.” He will also be honored with the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’s first Award for Musical Excellence in March.

Other inductees include John Bettis, who has written songs that have sold more than 250 million records worldwide such as “Human Nature” and “Crazy For You;” musician, songwriter and record producer Allen Toussaint, who wrote songs “Yes We Can” and “Working in the Coalmine;” and Billy Steinberg & Tom Kelly who co-wrote five No. 1 singles on Billboard’s Hot 100 chart, including “Like A Virgin,” “True Colors,” and “Eternal Flame.”

CMA Songwriter Series Invades LA; Music Festival Unveils Photo Contest

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The CMA Songwriters Series returned to Los Angeles on Feb. 15 with a stellar performance at Club Nokia. Backstage before their performance were (L-R): singer/songwriter/producer Victoria Shaw; songwriter/host Bob DiPiero; 2010 CMA New Artist of the Year nominee Chris Young; two-time CMA Award winner Gretchen Wilson; and singer/songwriter Brett James.


The Music Festival turns 40 this year and to help celebrate, the CMA is sponsoring a photo contest. Six of the submitted photos will be used as the artwork on the official event tickets. Past festival attendees can submit photographs online creating what will become an ongoing photo archive that documents the event’s history.
The contest will begin Feb. 17 and run through Mar. 7. Prizes will be awarded to submitting fans, including commemorative, framed 40th anniversary CMA Music Festival plaques with a ticket containing their photograph displayed for the top three photos; merchandise prize packs; and more. The Grand Prize winner will also receive two Gold Circle four-day tickets to the 2012 CMA Music Festival.
CMA Music Festival, which started as Fan Fair® in 1972 at Nashville’s Municipal Auditorium; moved to the Tennessee State Fairgrounds in 1982; moved to its current home, Downtown Nashville, in 2001; and changed its name to CMA Music Festival in 2004, the same year it was first filmed for a network television special. In addition to artist performances and artist/fan meetings, CMA is hopeful that photos will be submitted that capture images of fans interacting with each other; recent events like the parade and celebrity sporting events; former events such as the Chuck Wagon Gang serving meals at the Fairgrounds or the “CMA Celebrity Close Up” sessions at the Ryman Auditorium; or the unexpected.
For full contest rules and to submit photos, fans can visit CMAfest.com beginning Thursday, Feb. 17. CMA Music Festival 2011 will take place in Downtown Nashville, Thursday-Sunday, June 9-12.