Throwdown Forced To Trim Dates

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The Country Throwdown Tour has announced it will cancel four upcoming shows in Houston (6/9), Dallas (6/10), San Diego (6/17) and Phoenix (6/18). In addition, the Bakersfield date (originally set for 6/16) has now moved to Friday, 6/18. Tickets from the above listed shows will be honored at all other Country Throwdown tour dates and refunds are also available at the point of purchase.

According to tour Producer Kevin Lyman, “After many attempts to keep these shows, we’re regretfully unable to bring Throwdown to these four markets due to low tickets sales and too many shows competing with one another. We are trying to bring a festival style tour with 21 artists, at a reasonable and fair ticket price (average ticket cost $31), but because most markets are currently flooded with shows, we end up cannibalizing one another and someone ends up with lower ticket sales. As a result, we can’t afford to keep the show on the road for ALL of its intended dates. It’s a first year tour and we expected year one to be full of key lessons so that next year– and there will be a next year–is even better.”

The tour, which offers a unique presence in country music, mixes top artists with emerging singer-songwriters in a festival environment. Featured artists include Montgomery Gentry, Jamey Johnson, Little Big Town, Eli Young Band, Jack Ingram and Eric Church. Additional artists featured are Heidi Newfield Emily West and Tyler Reeve. there is also a Bluebird tent with up and coming songwriters such as Sarah Buxton and Jed Hughes (Buxton Hughes).

The event was conceived and orchestrated by Kevin Lyman and Sarah Baer of 4 Fini, the company responsible for the Vans Warped tour now in its 16th season.

Country Sales Slide Continues

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How are country album sales doing this year? As the accompanying graph shows, not exactly stellar. After a 38% drop over the previous three years (2007—2009), we are again facing declines. We started 2010 with an 18% YTD gain, but as we near the end of May country album sales have slipped to -5.6%, according to Nielsen SoundScan.

The early lead was largely due to a new offering from Lady Antebellum, but since then, the release schedule has not been able to generate enough scans to keep up with last year’s sales totals. And, of course that is exactly what determines overall sales for the format—release schedules. So, what should we expect to happen to our sales stats over the next two months (June/ July)?

During the June/July period for 2009 we had ongoing heavy sales from Taylor Swift’s Fearless and the Hannah Montana soundtrack, each scanning in the 30-45,000 range on a weekly basis. New releases were scarce with the largest being Brad Paisley’s American Saturday Night that debuted on 7/5/09 with about 130k units.

This year’s June/July 2010 lineup shows a Dierks Bentley album dropping June 8, but few others likely to break the 100k debut week mark. We also have ongoing titles from Taylor, Zac Brown Band, Miranda and Carrie that tally in the 10-20k range now each week and will add some momentum. As a result, expect that YTD country album sales will likely continue to slowly dip into the mid-summer. At that time we’ll re-examine the sales horizon for the remainder of the year.

WMG’s Pickin’ On The Patio a “Smashing Success”

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Last night (5/27) Warner Music Nashville hosted the first Pickin’ On The Patio party and it was a smashing success. Thanks to sponsors Aramark, Buffalo Trace Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, Red Rooster Bar & Music Hall and Red Bull, the packed crowd of 200 attendees munched on appetizers, beer and enjoyed a sneak peak of music from the newest addition to the Warner family – Her & Kings County. Spotted amongst the crowd were Warner Music Nashville artists John Rich, Jesse Lee and Brett Eldredge. The event will be held the fourth Thursday of every month, from May to October, on the WMN Patio. The next edition of Pickin’ On the Patio will feature James Otto on June 24.

(l-r) Peter Strickland, Warner Music Nashville Sr VP Brand Management and Sales; Tracy Gershon, Warner/Chappell Sr VP A&R; John Rich; songwriter Vicky McGehee; Scott Hendricks, Warner Music Nashville Sr VP A&R; and Ben Vaughn, Executive Vice President and General Manager of EMI Music Publishing

(l-r) Her & Kings County’s Justin, Nick and Monique; Warner Music Nashville President and CEO John Esposito; Her & Kings County’s Caleb, Brother Love and A. Wonder

Lost Trailers Going Separate Ways

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After tens of thousands of miles, songs that were heard all over America on country radio, and years on the road together, members of The Lost Trailers will pursue their own projects by the end of the year. The band will continue to tour this year which includes the Country Throwdown tour.

“I’m thrilled to finish playing out the shows on the calendar for our fans; we’ve been blessed to have their unending support over the years,” said lead singer Ryder Lee. “I’m very much looking forward to the next phase of my career.”

Songwriter and founding Lost Trailers member Stokes Nielson continues, “We started this band as a bunch of high school friends with a dream of making music, and we’ve taken that dream to incredible places that have opened a lot of doors for us. I look forward to thanking the fans on our tour dates throughout this year, they’ve always been there for us. I’m excited for the future, continuing to create new music that becomes part of people’s lives.”

Look for further updates on band members in the near future and catch The Lost Trailers on the Country Throwdown tour, and all over America through the end of the year.

ASCAP’s “We Write The Songs” Heads To DC

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Pictured at ASCAP's "I Write The Songs" event in Washington DC are J.D. Souther and Jessi Alexander

On May 11, the ASCAP Foundation and the Library of Congress jointly celebrated the first anniversary of the ASCAP Collection at the Library of Congress, the gift by the ASCAP Foundation of documents, photos, sheet music and other artifacts.

For the second straight year, a musical concert at the Library’s Coolidge Auditorium called We Write the Songs served as a living illustration of what the ASCAP Collection represents – the creative efforts of the men and women behind American popular music.

Participating in the show, introduced by Librarian of Congress James H. Billington, was a diverse group of ASCAP songwriter members including Jessi Alexander, Alan Bergman, Tracy Chapman, Dion DiMucci, Albert Hammond, J.D. Souther and Bill Withers (joined by his daughter, Kori, and Broadway star Elisabeth Withers); and ASCAP Foundation Board members Hal David and Wayland Holyfield. 

ASCAP Foundation President Paul Williams served as Master of Ceremonies.

A number of Senators and Congressional Representatives joined in to introduce the performers from the stage, including Rep. Howard Berman (D-CA), Rep. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-CA), Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Rep. Shelly Moore Capito (R-WV), Rep. Ted Deutch (D-FL) and Rep. Bob Goodlatte (R-VA).  Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi and House Judiciary Committee Chairman John Conyers, Jr. (D-MI) were also present to offer special remarks. We Write the Songs treated the capacity crowd of Washington legislative and cultural dignitaries to an evening of classic songs and the stories behind their creation.

Cold Stares Finalists in Hard Rock Battle

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The Cold Stares

Nashville rockers The Cold Stares are among 10 finalists in the running to perform at Hard Rock Calling 2010 in London’s Hyde Park with Paul McCartney, Stevie Wonder, Pearl Jam and more. The rock duo are to be international representatives for Nashville in the online voting to commence May 25 via  http://battle.ambassadorsofrock.com/thecoldstares/

Back in April, the Cold Stares won the last local phase of the Ambassadors of Rock Battle of the Bands held at Hard Rock Cafés all over the United States. They were then handpicked by a distinguished panel including the E Street Band’s Little Steven; Doug Brod, editor of Spin Magazine, Toby-Leighton Pope, VP of Promotions for Live Nation, and previous winner, Rudy Vaughn of The Rudy Vaughn Band.

The Cold Stares – Chris Tapp on guitars and vocals and Brian Mullins on drums – performed together for almost two years before beating out the competition at Nashville’s Hard Rock.

“With Nashville being known to the outside world as primarily country, I believe we can get our fellow Nashvillians to help us show the world that Nashville rocks and bust that stereotype,” Tapp says. “It would be so great for Nashville to represent the U.S. instead of New York or Los Angeles. Our sponsors WRLT are also helping to get out the vote. A spot on the London stage should belong to Music City in 2010!”

The Cold Stares will be recording their full length debut album in July. Their EP is currently available on itunes and other retailers. Recent shows in Nashville included 3rd & Lindsley with the Verve Pipe, and a flood benefit at the Hard Rock Cafe.

McCartney To Play Music City

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Paul McCartney will make his first-ever Nashville appearance Monday July 26, 2010, when he brings his Up and Coming 2010 Tour to the Bridgestone Arena in downtown Nashville. The tour will feature the former Beatle and his band in unique venues, places and locations; cities he’s never before played as well as familiar markets he’s not recently visited. Tickets go on sale Monday, June 7 at 10:00 AM and will be available at the Bridgestone Arena Box Office and all Kroger locations, by logging on to www.ticketmaster.com or by calling 1-800-745-3000.

“The opportunity to represent Sir Paul McCartney in concert in Nashville is a career moment for me,” said AEG Senior VP Steve Moore. “I am honored.”

Although this will be his first concert appearance in Nashville, it is not McCartney’s first visit to Music City. McCartney and his family spent six weeks in Nashville in 1974, a visit, he told the Nashville Banner at the time, to “relax, ride horses and record” his then band, Wings. The McCartney family stayed at a 133 acre Lebanon farm owned by songwriter Curly Putman (“Green, Green Grass of Home”), and it was that farm that inspired the Wings hit, “Junior’s Farm.”

McCartney’s recent live shows have garnered unprecedented reviews from fans and critics alike. He’s pushed boundaries, performed to millions and made global news with monumental shows including performances in Moscow’s Red Square, outside of the Coliseum in Rome, the largest outdoor show ever in the Ukraine, his first performance in Tel Aviv and a live performance into a NASA space station. Last year’s Summer ’09 Tour began in earnest with an already legendary inaugural run of shows at New York’s CitiField Stadium, the site of the former Shea Stadium where The Beatles played the 1965 concert that set the precedent for the modern-day stadium rock show.

The Up and Coming 2010 Tour, which kicked off in late March, are McCartney’s first U.S. shows since his five-week ‘Summer Live ‘09′ tour, which was prefaced by a triumphant sold-out headline set at the 2009 Coachella festival and a surprise performance for CBS’ Late Show with David Letterman on the marquee of the Ed Sullivan Theater (inside which The Beatles made TV history decades ago) that drew throngs packing Broadway from Columbus Circle to Times Square.

The new McCartney show features a typically diverse set list, drawing on 2 plus hours’ worth of selections spanning the catalogues of The Beatles, Wings and McCartney’s solo career, including tracks from the 2008 album,  The Fireman’s 2008 album, Electric Arguments, and potentially some songs never-before-played-on-U.S.-soil added to the set list.

Lambert Hosts “Cause For Paws” Fundraiser

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Miranda Lambert and Friends

Miranda Lambert hosted the 3rd Annual Cause for Paws Event last weekend and the numbers are in – $91,000 was raised through ticket sales, sponsorships and auction items at the sold-out event. GAC’s Nan Kelley donated her time to guest host the crowd of over 800 people. Purina Chef Michael’s Canine Creations was the main sponsor at this year’s Cause for Paws. Attendees enjoyed dinner and a concert featuring Lambert and her band along with special guests Nightwork, Kacey Musgraves, Whiskey Myers and a surprise appearance by Blake Shelton.

During the encore, Lambert stunned the audience by inviting her surprise special guest to the stage, fiancé Blake Shelton. She agreed to donate $2800 for him to come on stage and sing his No. 1 hit single “Hillbilly Bone” and then invited the crowd to come up and donate more money as the couple sang together for “tips.” Over $1000 was collected from the fans during the song. Another fundraising highlight was a rare Gibson Goddess electric guitar autographed by members of ZZ Top and Miranda that was the top selling item at the live auction bringing in $8000.00

“It is the best feeling in the world to know we are helping in the fight to treat and find homes for abandoned and abused animal,” says Lambert. “Since we started working with the Humane Society of East Texas over 3 years ago, we have donated over $325,000 and they have become a ‘no kill’ shelter. Every year it amazes me that people spend their hard-earned money to partner with us in this fight. I am very grateful!”

“This year’s event was the best so far,” said Bev Lambert, who is the Director of MuttNation.

“Miranda was able to bring her full band to her home community and it was the first time many in the area had seen her perform. There was definitely electricity in the air!”

Bev Lambert recently visited the shelter and was able to view the improvements that have taken place over the course of the past three years:  

“Just knowing that MuttNation Foundation is helping to take care of them is the most satisfying feeling. All year long our committee works hard on the event and one look into the eyes of the dogs and cats at the shelter makes me motivated to do even more next year.”

This year, in addition to the East Texas Humane Society, funds were given from Lambert’s hometown to Kelley’s hometown to help animals affected by the recent Nashville flood. The Humane Assocation of Nashville was presented with a plaque and special donation of $3,600, collected by the Lindale Independent School District’s Nickels for Nashville campaign.

Greg Oswald Promoted At WME

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[Developing Story] MusicRow has learned that Greg Oswald has been named the new Co-Head of William Morris Endeavor Entertainment’s country division, along with Rick Shipp. Oswald is the agent responsible for artists such as Taylor Swift, Wynonna, Gretchen Wilson, Kenny Rogers, and Hank Williams Jr. COO Paul Moore will continue to oversee the overall Nashville office also with Rick Shipp. The company’s roster also includes Brooks & Dunn, Vince Gill, Rascal Flatts, Brad Paisley, Alan Jackson, Dwight Yoakam, Gary Allan, Blake Shelton, and more.

The following note was distributed yesterday by Peter Grosslight, Worldwide Head of Music/WME:

“It is with great pleasure that Rick Shipp and I announce Greg Oswald’s promotion. We invite all of you to join us in congratulating Greg who has worked long and hard for this well-deserved recognition.  Cheers, Greg, you’ve more than earned it,” Peter Grosslight.

Bassists Unite For Flood Benefit

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Steve Bailey

Acclaimed bassist Steve Bailey will headline Low Notes For Nashville, a benefit concert to raise funds for Nashville flood relief. The event will also include performances by many top bassists from around the world. The concert will take place 8:00 PM, Thursday, June 17, at Douglas Corner (2106 8th Ave. South).

Created less than three weeks ago by Nashville bassist Sean O’Bryan Smith and Lane Baldwin, the charity has gathered an amazing team of professional bassists from around the world to offer relief to fellow musicians devastated by the recent flood. While their web site offers numerous ways for visitors to get involved, the benefit concert is the organization’s highest profile event to date.

The show will be hosted by Smith, Baldwin, and well-known Nashville bassist Dave Pomeroy, now President of the Nashville Musicians Association. All three will perform, and Baldwin will emcee the event.

More players are signing up for the concert daily. To date, the concert will feature performances by numerous top bassists, including Vail Johnson, Roy Vogt, Bryan Beller, Adam Nitti, Doug Johns, and the legendary Bob Babbitt.

“You can expect to hear more top bassists on this bill than almost anywhere else,” said Smith. “We’re reaching out to everyone we know to invite their participation.”

Those interested can keep up to date on all Low Notes For Nashville activities by visiting the group’s web site at www.LowNotesForNashville.org. The charity also has a pair of official Twitter streams and a Facebook Fan Page. More than fifty top bassists and over a dozen music industry manufacturers have joined the cause, making monetary and gear donations to help Nashville musicians in need.

“For Sean and I, this is an excellent opportunity to combine our call to serve others with our desire to strengthen the bonds in the bass community,” said Baldwin. “We’re thrilled that so many top players and companies have joined our efforts, and the concert is going to be one huge bass-centric party.”

Tickets are only $15 per person and will be available at the door. Space is limited so it’s best to arrive early.