2012 Grammy Nominations Revealed

The Band Perry performs on the Grammy Nominations concert.

Nominations for select Grammy categories were announced tonight (11/30) during a live concert special on CBS. Among the Nashville representatives taking the stage in Los Angeles were Sugarland, Jason Aldean (who scored multiple nominations), and The Band Perry (nominated for the all-genre Best New Artist award).

Nominations among top-billing country stars were a virtual tie with Aldean, Blake Shelton, and Taylor Swift garnering three apiece. Stoney Creek’s Thompson Square also nabbed two, giving the Broken Bow/Stoney Creek family a total of five. That ties them with Big Machine Label Group for the most nominations among Nashville labels, who got five combining Taylor’s three with Band Perry’s Best New Artist nod and one for Martina McBride’s “I’m Gonna Love You Through It.”

Kanye West tops the nominations with seven; Adele, Foo Fighters and Bruno Mars each garner six nods; and Lil Wayne and Skrillex each are up for five awards. Drake, Paul Epworth, Cee Lo Green, Philip Lawrence, Ari Levine, Nicki Minaj, Mumford & Sons, Radiohead, Rihanna, and Justin Vernon (Bon Iver) each receive four nominations.

More Nashville-based artists and musicians received Grammy recognition. Eric Brace & Peter Cooper’s I Love: Tom T. Hall’s Songs of Fox Hollow [Red Beet Records] earned a nomination for Best Children’s Album. Nashville-based WannaBeatles (Nathan Burbank, Bryan Cumming, Dennis Scott, and David Toledo) scored its first-ever nomination in the Best Spoken Word Album for Fab Fan Memories – The Beatles Bond [WannaBeats Records]. Zac Brown picked up a nomination for Best Song Written For Visual Media for “Where The River Goes,” featured on the Footloose soundtrack. And the Nashville Symphony Orchestra’s Giancarlo Guerrero and Christopher Lamb got a nomination for Best Classical Instrumental Solo for Schwantner: Concerto For Percussion & Orchestra. See the full list of nominees here.

The 54th Annual Grammy Awards will air at 7 PM/CT Feb. 12, 2012 on CBS.

Best Country Solo Performance
“Dirt Road Anthem”
Jason Aldean
Track from: My Kinda Party
[Broken Bow Records]

“I’m Gonna Love You Through It”
Martina McBride
Track from: Eleven
[Republic Nashville]

“Honey Bee”
Blake Shelton
Track from: Red River Blue
[Warner Bros. Records]

“Mean”
Taylor Swift
Track from: Speak Now
[Big Machine Records]

“Mama’s Song”
Carrie Underwood
Track from: Play On
[Arista Nahville]

Best Country Duo/Group Performance
“Don’t You Wanna Stay”
Jason Aldean With Kelly Clarkson
Track from: My Kinda Party
[Broken Bow Records]

“You And Tequila”
Kenny Chesney Featuring Grace Potter
Track from: Hemingway’s Whiskey
[BNA Records]

“Barton Hollow”
The Civil Wars
Track from: Barton Hollow
[Sensibility Music LLC]

“Are You Gonna Kiss Me Or Not”
Thompson Square
Track from: Thompson Square
[Stoney Creek Records]

Best Country Song
“Are You Gonna Kiss Me Or Not”
Jim Collins & David Lee Murphy, songwriters (Thompson Square)
Track from: Thompson Square
[Stoney Creek Records; Publishers: Sexy Tractor Music/Hope-N-Cal Music, Old Desperados/N2D Publishing]

“God Gave Me You”
Dave Barnes, songwriter (Blake Shelton)
Track from: Red River Blue
[Warner Bros.; Publisher: No Gang Music]

“Just Fishin'”
Casey Beathard, Monty Criswell & Ed Hill, songwriters (Trace Adkins)
Track from: Proud To Be Here
[Show Dog-Universal Music; Publishers: Sony/ATV Acuff Rose Music/Six Ring Circus Songs; Sony/ATV Tree Publishing; Five Hills Music]

“Mean”
Taylor Swift, songwriter (Taylor Swift)
Track from: Speak Now
[Big Machine Records; Publishers: Sony/ATV Tree Publishing, Taylor Swift Music]

“Threaten Me With Heaven”
Vince Gill, Amy Grant, Will Owsley & Dillon O’Brian, songwriters (Vince Gill)
Track from: Guitar Slinger
[MCA Nashville]

“You And Tequila”
Matraca Berg & Deana Carter, songwriters (Kenny Chesney Featuring Grace Potter)
Track from: Hemingway’s Whiskey
[BNA Records]

Best Country Album
My Kinda Party
Jason Aldean
[Broken Bow Records]

Chief
Eric Church
[EMI Records Nashville]

Own The Night
Lady Antebellum
[Capitol Records Nashville]

Red River Blue
Blake Shelton
[Warner Bros. Records]

Here For A Good Time
George Strait
[MCA Nashville]

Speak Now
Taylor Swift
[Big Machine Records]

Album of the Year
21
Adele
[XL Recordings/Columbia Records]

Wasting Light
Foo Fighters
[RCA Records/ Roswell Records]

Born This Way
Lady Gaga
[Streamline/Interscope/Kon Live]

Doo Wops & Hooligans
Bruno Mars
[Elektra]

Loud
Rihanna
[Def Jam]

Best New Artist
The Band Perry
Bon Iver
J. Cole
Nicki Minaj
Skrillex

Song of the Year
“Rolling in the Deep”
Adele Adkins & Paul Epworth, songwriters (Adele)
Track from: 21
[XL Recordings/Columbia Records; Publishers: Universal-Songs of Polygram/EMI Music Publishing]

“Holocene”
Justin Vernon, songwriter (Bon Iver)
Track from: Bon Iver
[Jagjaguwar; Publisher: April Base Publishing]

“Grenade” 
Brody Brown, Claude Kelly, Philip Lawrence, Ari Levine, Bruno Mars & Andrew Wyatt, songwriters (Bruno Mars)
Track from: Doo-Wops & Hooligans
[Elektra; Publishers: Mars Force Music/Bughouse, Music Famamanem/Toy Plane Music/Art For Arts Sake/Late 80s Music/Westside Ind. Music/Studiobeat Music, Warner Tamerlane, Andrew Wyatt, Downtown DMP Songs]

“All of the Lights”
Jeff Bhasker, Malik Jones, Warren Trotter & Kanye West, songwriters (Kanye West, Rihanna, Kid Cudi & Fergie)
Track from: My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy
[Roc-A-Fella; Publishers: Very Good Beats/Hip Hop Since 1978]

“The Cave”
Ted Dwane, Ben Lovett, Marcus Mumford & Country Winston, songwriters (Mumford & Sons)
Track from: Sigh No More
[Glassnote Records]

Record of the Year
“Rolling in the Deep” — Adele
Track from: 21
[XL Recordings/Columbia Records]

“Holocene” — Bon Iver
Track from: Bon Iver
[Jagjaguwar]

“Grenade” — Bruno Mars
Track from: Doo-Wops & Hooligans
[Elektra]

“Firework” — Katy Perry
Track from: Teenage Dream
[Capitol]

“The Cave” — Mumford and Sons
Track from: Sigh No More
[Glassnote Records]

Best Americana Album
Emotional Jukebox — Linda Chorney [Dance More Less War Records]
Pull Up Some Dust And Sit Down — Ry Cooder [Perro Verde Records LLC/Nonesuch]
Hard Bargain — Emmylou Harris [Nonesuch]
Ramble At The Ryman — Levon Helm [Vanguard/Dirt Farmer Music]
Blessed — Lucinda Williams [Lost Highway Records]

Best Blues Album
Low Country Blues — Gregg Allman [Rounder]
Roadside Attractions — Marcia Ball [Alligator]
Man In Motion — Warren Haynes [Stax Records]
The Reflection — Keb’ Mo’ [Yolabelle International/Ryko Records]
Revelator — Tedeschi Trucks Band [Masterworks]

Best Contemporary Christian Album
Ghost Upon The Earth — Gungor [Brash Music]
Leaving Eden — Brandon Heath [Reunion Records]
The Great AwakeningLeeland [Essential Records]
What If We Were Real  — Mandisa [Sparrow Records]
Black & WhiteRoyal Tailor [Essential Records]
And If Our God Is For Us…Chris Tomlin [Sparrow Records / sixstepsrecords]

Best Gospel Album
The Love Album Kim Burrell [Shanachie Entertainment]
The Journey Andraé Crouch [Riverphlo Entertainment]
Hello Fear Kirk Franklin [Verity Gospel Music Group/ Fo Yo Soul Ent.]
Something Big Mary Mary [Columbia Records]
Angel & Chanelle Deluxe Edition Trin-I-Tee 5:7 [Music World Gospel]

Best Contemporary Christian Song
Blessings Laura Story, songwriter (Laura Story) [Fair Trade Services; Publishers: New Spring/Gleaning Publishing]

Hold MeJamie Grace Harper, Toby McKeehan & Christopher Stevens, songwriters (Jamie Grace Featuring Tobymac) [Gotee Records; Publishers: Universal Music, Brentwood Benson Tunes, Songs of Third Base/Chriscendo Music, Meaux Mercy/Achtober Songs]

I Lift My Hands Louie Giglio, Matt Maher & Chris Tomlin, songwriters (Chris Tomlin) [Sparrow Records/sixstepsrecords; Publishers: sixsteps Music/worshiptogether.com Songs/Vamos Publishing/Thankyou Music/spiritandsong.com Publishing]

Strong Enough Matthew West, songwriter (Matthew West) [Sparrow Records; Publishers: External Combustion Music/Songs For Delaney/Songs of Southside Independent Music]

Your Love Brandon Heath & Jason Ingram, songwriters (Brandon Heath) [Reunion Records; Publishers: Sony/ATV Cross Keys Publishing/Big Skwawka Music, Sony/ATV Timber Publishing/Windsor Hill Music]

Best Gospel Song
Hello Fear Kirk Franklin, songwriter (Kirk Franklin) [Verity Gospel Music Group/Fo Yo Soul Ent.; Publisher: Aunt Gertrude Music]

Sitting With Me Erica Campbell, Tina Campbell, Gerald Haddon & Tammi Haddon, songwriters (Mary Mary) [Columbia Records; Publishers: Precious Baby Music/T Bella Music/EMI April Music, It’s Tea Tyme, That’s Plum Song]

Spiritual Donald Lawrence, songwriter (Donald Lawrence & Co. Featuring Blanche McAllister-Dykes) [Verity Gospel Music Group; Publisher: Quiet Water Entertainment]

Trust Me Richard Smallwood, songwriter (Richard Smallwood & Vision) [Verity Gospel Music Group; Publishers: Universal-Z Tunes/T.Autumn Music]

Window Canton Jones, songwriter (Canton Jones) [Cajo Records; Publisher: CAJO Music]

Best Gospel/Contemporary Christian Performance
Do Everything Steven Curtis Chapman [Sparrow Records]
Alive (Mary Magdalene) Natalie Grant [WOW Joint Venture/EMI CMG]
Your Love Brandon Heath [Reunion Records]
Jesus Le’Andria Johnson [Music World Gospel]
I Lift My Hands Chris Tomlin [Sparrow Records / sixstepsrecords]

Best Folk Album
Barton Hollow — The Civil Wars [Sensibility Music LLC]
I’ll Never Get Out Of This World Alive — Steve Earle [New West Records]
Helplessness Blues — Fleet Foxes [Sub Pop]
Ukulele Songs — Eddie Vedder [Monkeywrench Inc./Universal Republic]
The Harrow & The Harvest — Gillian Welch [Acony Records]

Best Bluegrass Album
Paper Airplane — Alison Krauss & Union Station [Rounder]
Reason And Rhyme: Bluegrass Songs By Robert Hunter & Jim Lauderdale — Jim Lauderdale [Sugar Hill Records]
Rare Bird Alert — Steve Martin And The Steep Canyon Rangers [Rounder]
Old Memories: The Songs Of Bill Monroe — The Del McCoury Band [McCoury Music]
A Mother’s Prayer — Ralph Stanley [Rebel Records]
Sleep With One Eye Open — Chris Thile & Michael Daves [Nonesuch]

Best Pop Solo Performance
“Someone Like You” — Adele
“Yoü And I” — Lady Gaga
“Grenade” — Bruno Mars
“Firework” — Katy Perry
“F***in’ Perfect” — Pink

Best Pop Duo/Group Performance
“Body And Soul” — Tony Bennett & Amy Winehouse
“Dearest” — The Black Keys
“Paradise” — Coldplay
“Pumped Up Kicks” — Foster The People
“Moves Like Jagger” — Maroon 5 & Christina Aguilera

Best Dance Recording
“Raise Your Weapon” — Deadmau5 & Greta Svabo Bech
“Barbra Streisand” — Duck Sauce
“Sunshine” — David Guetta & Avicii
“Call Your Girlfriend” — Robyn
“Scary Monsters And Nice Sprites” — Skrillex
“Save The World” — Swedish House Mafia

Best Rock Performance
“Every Teardrop Is A Waterfall” — Coldplay
“Down By The Water” — The Decemberists
“Walk” — Foo Fighters
“The Cave” — Mumford & Sons
“Lotus Flower” — Radiohead

Best Hard Rock/Metal Performance
“On The Backs Of Angels” — Dream Theater
“White Limo” — Foo Fighters
“Curl Of The Burl” — Mastodon
“Public Enemy No. 1” — Megadeth
“Blood In My Eyes” — Sum 41

Best Rock Album
Rock ‘N’ Roll Party Honoring Les Paul — Jeff Beck
Wasting Light — Foo Fighters
Come Around Sundown — Kings Of Leon
I’m With You — Red Hot Chili Peppers
The Whole Love — Wilco

Best Alternative Music Album
Bon Iver — Bon Iver
Codes And Keys — Death Cab For Cutie
Torches — Foster The People
Circuital — My Morning Jacket
The King Of Limbs — Radiohead

Best Traditional R&B Performance
“Sometimes I Cry” — Eric Benét
“Fool For You” — Cee Lo Green & Melanie Fiona
“Radio Message” — R. Kelly
“Good Man” — Raphael Saadiq
“Surrender” — Betty Wright & The Roots

Best R&B Album
F.A.M.E. — Chris Brown
Second Chance — El DeBarge
Love Letter — R. Kelly
Pieces Of Me — Ledisi
Kelly — Kelly Price

Best Rap/Sung Collaboration
“Party” — Beyoncé & André 3000
“I’m On One” — DJ Khaled, Drake, Rick Ross & Lil Wayne
“I Need A Doctor” — Dr. Dre, Eminem & Skylar Grey
“What’s My Name?” — Rihanna & Drake
“Motivation” — Kelly Rowland & Lil Wayne
“All Of The Lights” — Kanye West, Rihanna, Kid Cudi & Fergie

Best Rap Performance
“Look At Me Now” — Chris Brown, Lil Wayne & Busta Rhymes
“Otis” — Jay-Z & Kanye West
“The Show Goes On” — Lupe Fiasco
“Moment 4 Life” — Nicki Minaj & Drake
“Black And Yellow” — Wiz Khalifa

2nd CMT Artist Awards Show Soars

Brad and Kimberly Paisley; Jason and Jessica Aldean

[Photos: Alan Mayor]

The 2011 CMT Artists of the Year show was taped last night at the Bridgestone arena in Nashville (11/29/11). Fast becoming an “in demand” ticket for industry executives, the show honored Jason Aldean, Lady Antebellum, Taylor Swift, Brad Paisley and Kenny Chesney. The intimate audience was seated at round tables and treated to a gourmet multi-course meal prepared by “Top Chef” winner Stephanie Izard from the Girl & Goat restaurant in Chicago.

All the artist honorees were present. Additional presenters/performers, both live and on pre-taped video, included The All-American Rejects, The Avett Brothers, Ellen DeGeneres, Gavin DeGraw, NASCAR driver Jeff Gordon, Miranda Lambert, Matthew McConaughey, New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton, Lionel Richie, William Shatner and Joe Walsh of the Eagles. The show is scheduled to air December 13 at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT on CMT and CMT.com.

Standout performances included Swift’s “Mean” covered by the All American Rejects who also worked their own “Gives You Hell” into a bridge. It was explosively original. Also sonically-satisfying was the evening finale which featured Brad Paisley and Joe Walsh cranking out “Life’s Been Good” and “Camouflage.” Lady Antebellum’s affable Charles Kelley was one of many moved by the Paisley/Walsh pairing and enjoying himself. He stood up in the audience pretending to conduct the music, with a big smile.

Lady Antebellum with show host Rob Lowe.

But there were plenty of other standout moments as well such as a great Avett Brothers performance. Insightful video clips of artist honorees reflecting upon their careers and relationships with family, friends and other country artists were also highlight. (For more live reporting search the Twitter hastag #CMTAOY.)

One moment that will likely be remembered by those at the Bridgestone, but never seen when the show airs, was an intended Hank Williams Jr./Jason Aldean duet. Unfortunately, the scene was shot a second time sans Bochephus. Hank’s publicist said the song was re-recorded without him because, “Hank didn’t feel like he was giving an adequate performance while joining Jason on the song.” Regardless of the cause for the decision, those present would likely admit it was a good decision.

CMT’s award honorees were chosen by ranking the top five artists based on the following criteria: sales (physical albums, digital albums, and single downloads); country radio airplay based on spins; concert grosses as a headliner or co-headliner; and activity on CMT.com (video streams, searches, and artist page views). The rankings were then compiled to identify the leading performers across the four categories cumulatively.

CMT Artists Of The Year was executive produced by Rac Clark. John Hamlin and Margaret Comeaux serve as executive producers for CMT. (Note to self: Be sure to RSVP YES! again for this event.) (Click here to see an uploaded Tweet photo from @Jennivercole)

Taylor Swift and posse...

[Updated] Court Says McGraw Can Split From Curb, Label Releases Single Anyway

McGraw onstage earlier this year.

[Updated 4:45 p.m.]

Hours after a Nashville judge ruled that Tim McGraw was no longer contractually obligated to Curb Records, the label released a new McGraw single to radio.

Delivered via digital distribution system PlayMPE, Curb sent out the McGraw tune “Better Than I Used To Be.” The email blast states that the track is going for immediate airplay, and is the first new music from the singer in 11 months.

• • • • • •

[Original post]

Tim McGraw is no longer a Curb Records artist, according to a ruling made this afternoon (11/30) in a Nashville courtroom. This judgement leaves the superstar free to release music via another label or situation.

He first signed with Curb in 1992.

Chancellor Russell Perkins made the ruling in Davidson County Chancery Court following a four-hour proceeding. McGraw and wife Faith Hill were in attendance.

Today’s decision is part of ongoing lawsuits between McGraw and Curb Records, which will play out during a trial this July.

Representing McGraw in the courtroom was attorney William Ramsey of Nashville firm Neal & Harwell.

GRAMMY Noms Concert Tonight

Nominations in select GRAMMY categories will be revealed tonight (11/30) during a concert special on CBS, airing from 9 – 10 p.m./CT. Jason Aldean, Sugarland and The Band Perry are among those set to perform on The GRAMMY Nominations Concert Live!!—Countdown To Music’s Biggest Night.

The telecast takes place at the Nokia Theatre L.A. Live, where other performers on the docket include Rihanna, Usher, Lady Gaga, Ludacris, and host LL Cool J.

The LA Times reports that last year’s program drew a meager 5 million total viewers, down 20% from the 2009 telecast (Nielsen).

For the first time, tickets to the 2011 show were available to be purchased by the public.

The GRAMMY Awards will be presented Feb. 12, 2012.

Margaret Durante To Perform At WMBA’s Tunes For Tots

The annual Tunes for Tots Fundraiser, presented by the Women’s Music Business Association, will be held from 6-8 p.m. at The Listening Room Cafe on Tues., Dec. 6. The writer’s round will feature many singer-songwriters, including Margaret Durante, whose debut album is slated for release early in 2012 on R&J Records.

Admission to the event is free with an unwrapped toy or cash donation for Toys for Tots. All proceeds and toys will be delivered directly to the Toys for Tots foundation by members of the United States Marines, who will be present at the fundraiser.

For the past seven years, Tunes for Tots has packed out popular venues throughout Nashville, including Tin Roof, 3rd and Lindsley, 12th and Porter and many others. For more information about the fundraiser visit www.wmbanashville.org.

Parallel Music Publishing Signs First Writer

(L-R) standing: Tim Hunze, C.T. Wyatt; seated: attorney Chip Petree, Blake Chaffin

Parallel Music Publishing has announced Blake Chaffin as the first songwriter to join its Nashville roster. Chaffin is a graduate of Kansas State University who moved to Nashville in 2002.

“To have someone believe in you is incredible,” says Chaffin. “This is a dream come true and I can’t wait to see what’s next.”

“Blake has great ideas, strong melodies and a passion for writing,” says Tim Hunze, who heads up Parallel Music Publishing. “History has proven that those are the makings of a great songwriter. Parallel is thrilled that we signed him before someone else did.”

Parallel Music Publishing is a division of the Los Angeles-based Parallel Entertainment, which opened its full-scale Nashville operation in August. The publishing company is a partnership between Hunze, Parallel Founder/CEO J.P Williams, and Nashville office head C.T. Wyatt. The company’s LA roster includes comedians Jeff Foxworthy, Larry the Cable Guy, Bill Engvall, and Lisa Lampanelli as well as music acts like Zella Day and Warner Music Nashville’s Dean Alexander.

ACM Revamps New Artist Category

The Academy of Country Music announced today a single combined, overall category for New Artist of the Year. The New Artist of the Year award absorbs all newcomer categories including New Male Vocalist, New Female Vocalist, New Vocal Duo, New Vocal Group, New Solo Vocalist and New Vocal Duo or Group categories from past years, and the winner will be revealed on the live telecast at the 47th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards. The Awards are to be held next spring on an as-yet-unannounced date.

The top eight artists from the first round of ACM professional voting will be considered semi-finalists and will compete via the Great American County (GAC) fan vote at GACtv.com, combined with the ACM professional membership vote, to determine the final 3 nominees for the Award. The final three nominees will compete for the trophy, with a combined fan and professional membership vote to determine the winner.

Nominees for the Academy of Country Music Awards will be revealed in February 2012 at a date to be announced. For more information on ACM Awards criteria, click to download http://www.acmcountry.com/awards/votingcriteria.php.

Darius Rucker to Perform At GRAMMY Artists Revealed Show

Darius Rucker

Darius Rucker will perform at the fourth installment of GRAMMY Artists Revealed presented by MasterCard, on Tuesday, Dec. 13, at the Highline Ballroom in New York City.

GRAMMY Artists Revealed is part of a series created to celebrate musical excellence and diversity throughout the year by providing music fans an opportunity to see artists perform in an intimate storytelling format.

“I am honored The Recording Academy asked me to ‘reveal’ my musical journey,” said Rucker. “The prestige of winning GRAMMY Awards has opened many doors for me, and I look forward to sharing the experiences that have led me to where I am today.”

As part of MasterCard Priceless New York, MasterCard will be holding a sweepstakes on its Facebook page where every day until Dec. 7, ten cardholders will win tickets to the Artists Revealed concert and entry for the grand prize trip for two to attend the 54th Annual GRAMMY Awards on Feb. 12.

As part of Hootie & the Blowfish, Rucker earned two GRAMMY Awards for the band’s 1994 smash hit album, Cracked Rear View.

Black Friday Unable To Reverse Weak Release Schedule

A quick look at our YTD comparison chart (above) shows that it’s seemingly going to take more than Black Friday sales, a big turkey dinner, and this year’s abbreviated release schedule to put country music buyers in a mood to buy more units than last year. The slide from +9.8% to today’s itsy bitsy +.8%  has taken only six weeks and shows faint chance of reversing direction.

Taylor Swift’s Live DVD/CD package hit bins this past week landing in the No. 2 spot with about 77,000 units behind Scotty McCreery who rang registers almost 88,000 times to earn the No. 1 position (again). McCreery’s Idol fans are on a wild sales spree, racking up close to 588,000 units in a scant eight weeks. With five weeks to go, to have the YTD% equal zero, we need to sell 7.84 million additional units for a year end total of 43.72 million. For those math wizards in the audience, it means 1.567 million for each of the remaining weeks. (We actually got close this week shifting 1.38 million.)

Tracks Story 
Like love in the Spring, a young man’s fancy turns to tracks when album sales disappoint. Increasingly, tracks and TEA seem to be where the action is, if not the large profits. Country track sales this week were off slightly from last week (-2%), but clicked in at 2.504 million downloads.

Toby Keith “Red Solo Cup” (62k) and Luke Bryan “I Don’t Want This Night…” (54k) held onto the top two spots again this week. Band Perry “If I Die Young” (43k), Lady Antebellum “Just A Kiss” (39k) and Blake Shelton “God Gave Me You” (36k) filled out the top 5.

Do we need better track sales accounting so we can measure TEA (track equivalent, albums: 10=1) both overall and by artist? Track sales aren’t as profitable as albums, and there is a smaller group of artists that are reaping a majority of the track sales benefits, but despite these issues it seems more likely each week that labels will have to adjust to these new parameters to stay in the game.

Shazam, BMI Evolve Relationship

Song identification outfit Shazam is reacquiring from BMI the Audio Recognition technology and related patents that it uses to identify music. Shazam originally sold BMI these Intellectual Property rights in 2005 to help fund its development. By reacquiring the Intellectual Property, Shazam will integrate the technology more fully into its services, expanding its product set as well as adding to its growing IP portfolio.

Under terms of the new agreement, Shazam will assume ownership of the IP while BMI will retain its full capability in the business-to-business space to use the technology to detect and identify performances of music, and will become a shareholder in Shazam. BMI will continue to include the technology as part of its BMI Recognition Services, layering the audio recognition service with other digital products to measure the use and identity of musical works across a broad spectrum of analog and digital platforms.

Recently Shazam has added more than one million new users every week, with the total number around the globe exceeding 150 million.