Artist Updates (8-30-13)

jake owen days of gold1Jake Owen will give a special preview of his “Days of Gold” music video during College Football’s first primetime game of the season on Saturday (Aug. 31). The Georgia Bulldogs will take on the Clemson Tigers; the game airs on ABC at 8 p.m. ET.
“Going to college football games, tailgating and living it up with friends is right on track with what ‘Days of Gold’ is all about. I’m excited for the song to be a part of this season’s opening weekend,” shares Jake.

• • •

Dakota Bradley

Dakota Bradley


Dakota Bradley has released an exclusive track, “Memory Or Me,” to fans via Glamour magazine through the magazine’s website, glamour.com. The song is a sentimental ballad about the struggle of letting go of a former flame. The mag’s Anna Moeslein had this to say about the newcomer: “Commit Dakota Bradley to your memory. He’s cute, talented, and has the support of country-heavyweights—his forthcoming 2013 full-length album is co-produced by Tim McGraw. The 20-year-old is going to be a star, I tell ya.”
Bradley wrote or co-wrote eight of the songs on his upcoming debut CD, including “Cherry Bomb,” a song he penned with Florida Georgia Line’s Brian Kelley and Tyler Hubbard.
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Tracy Lawrence recently stopped by for a guest appearance on HLN’s Morning Express with Robin Meade on Thursday (Aug. 29), to discuss his new album Headlights, Taillights, and Radios. Lawrence performed the track “Butterfly,” and shared that he was inspired to write the song after the Joplin, Mo. tornado crisis.
Pictured (L-R): Tracy Lawrence, Robin Meade

Pictured (L-R): Tracy Lawrence, HLN’s Robin Meade

 • • •

RPM Entertainment’s Maggie Rose recently traveled to the Middle East to perform several shows for the U.S. military. Rose toured an undisclosed military base, performing her music for the troops. She even got a glimpse at what life in a special ops K9 unit is like, which she shared via Instagram.

Maggie Rose performs for members of the U.S. military.

Maggie Rose performs for members of the U.S. military.


 

Randy Houser Scores First Platinum Digital Single

RH_CntryFeels_cvr_5x511111Randy Houser‘s recent single, “Runnin’ Outta Moonlight,” has been certified platinum by the RIAA for sales of one million units. This marks Houser’s first platinum digital single, following his recent gold-certified song, “How Country Feels.”
“I can’t even begin to thank everyone for their support,” said Houser. “Country music fans are the greatest fans in the world!”
Houser will be singing his platinum single throughout the summer and fall at fairs and festivals, before joining Justin Moore and Josh Thompson in November as part of Moore’s Off The Beaten Path Tour. For more information, visit randyhouser.com.

Country Music Hall Of Fame And Museum To Host Job Fair

countrymusichalloffame
The Country Music Hall Of Fame and Museum and Hatch Show Print will host a job fair on Wednesday, Sept. 4 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The fair will be held in the museum’s Curb Conservatory and include more than 200 available positions in guest relations, ticketing, retail, special events, catering, food services, operations and more.
Attendees are required to bring copies of their completed application, which is available at countrymusichalloffame.org/employment. Resumes are also encouraged. To view full job descriptions and requirements, click here.

'MusicRow' No. 1 Song

It-Goes-Like-ThisIf you asked Thomas Rhett how to get to the No. 1 spot of the MusicRow Chart this week, he’d probably have to show you and say, “It Goes Like This.”
Although the lyrics speak of love, The Valory Music Co. singer has taken a song by that title––written by his father Rhett Atkins, Jimmy Robbins and Ben Hayslip––to the peak of our chart this week. This is Rhett’s first time to reign on the MusicRow chart.
And if you want to hear more of the tune, you’re in luck! The song has been announced as the title track off of Rhett’s full length debut, to be released Sept. 29. In the meantime, fans can catch the newcomer’s live show on the road through November with Jason Aldean’s Night Train Tour.
Watch the video for Rhett’s “It Goes Like This” below.

Industry Ink (8-30-13)

Warner/Chappell Music has signed a worldwide co-publishing agreement with singer/songwriter Jason Matthews. Matthews has penned songs for artists such as Luke Bryan, Billy Currington, Chris Young, Jake Owen, and Blake Shelton. In 2006, he earned a No. 1 song with Currington’s “Must Be Doin’ Somethin’ Right.” He was also named MusicRow magazine’s Breakthrough Writer of the Year in 2006.

Pictured (Front row): Jason Matthews. Pictured (Back row): Steve Markland (W/C), Blain Rhodes (W/C), Ben Vaughn (W/C), Phil May (W/C).

Pictured (Front row): Jason Matthews. Pictured (Back row): Steve Markland (W/C), Blain Rhodes (W/C), Ben Vaughn (W/C), Phil May (W/C).

• • •

Randy Stark

Randy Stark


On Ramp Records has hired industry veteran Randy Stark as Managing Director, where he will be responsible for managing and coordinating label operations, as well as providing radio promotion services. Stark has served as VP, Marketing and Promotion for Warner Music Canada, has directed the artist management company Stark Ravings (including artists Jason Blaine and Clayton Bellamy), and has worked as President at the Canadian Country Music Association. Stark is a past director of the Country Music Association in Nashville. He is also currently Director at the Country Music Association of Ontario.
“Adding Randy to the On Ramp family signifies our continued commitment to growing our label operations,” commented  On Ramp Records President and owner Louis O’Reilly. “His broad industry experience and success at radio will strengthen our position as a leading label services company.”

• • •

Mysti Meese

Mysti Meese


Country Radio Seminar has announced the creation of a new Marketing Coordinator position, to expand the service and support the Brand Marketing and Strategic Partnerships department. Recent Belmont University graduate Mysti Meese will fill the coordinator role beginning Sept. 9. Beginning Sept. 9, Meese can be reached at mysti@countryradioseminar.com or at 615-327-4487.
 

• • •

This fall, Belmont University will take part in Creative Connection, allowing four juniors a unique internship program designed to connect students with industry companies and help them establish familiarity and relationships in different facets of the industry. Those facets include publishing, administration, artist management and business management. The students will work with Creative Nation, Words and Music, Crush Management and The Kella Stephensen Company, respectively.
Students Markus Hwang, Jen Duke, Eric LaFontsee and Elle Hussey have been selected to participate in the program, and will intern with each company for three weeks, before rotating to the next. Each semester will feature a brief training camp at Creative Nation to launch the program and will sum up the semester with a group meeting at Creative Nation.

Pictured: First row: Marc Rucker (Crush Management), Kelsey Granda (Creative Nation), Eric LaFontsee Second row: Markus Hwang, Jen Duke, Jill Curry (Kella Stephenson Company), Beth Laird (Creative Nation), Elle Hussey.Back row: Andrew Cohen (Crush Management), Brandi Surface (Words and Music), Tricia Procter (Words and Music) and Julie Stuckey (Creative Nation).

Pictured: First row: Marc Rucker (Crush Management), Kelsey Granda (Creative Nation), Eric LaFontsee.
Second row: Markus Hwang, Jen Duke, Jill Curry (Kella Stephenson Company), Beth Laird (Creative Nation), Elle Hussey. Back row: Andrew Cohen (Crush Management), Brandi Surface (Words and Music), Tricia Proctor (Words and Music) and Julie Stuckey (Creative Nation).

 

Memphis Hall of Fame Inductees To Be Revealed Sept. 10

image007The Memphis Music Hall of Fame will announce its 2013 inductees at a special press conference set for Sept. 10 at the new Jerry Lee Lewis Café and Honky Tonk on Beale St.
Thirteen artists will be inducted this year, bringing the total count of Hall of Famers thus far to 38. Inductees are selected by a national nominating committee of authors, music historians, national educators, and music community members. This year’s nominees will be inducted at the official Induction Ceremony and Celebration Nov. 7 at the Gibson Showcase Lounge at Memphis’ Gibson Guitar Factory in downtown Memphis.
The Memphis Hall of Fame was launched in 2012, with Elvis, Otis Redding, B.B. King, Isaac Hayes, Booker T. and the MG’s, Al Green, and W.C. Handy among its first class of inductees. Each inductee receives the Mike Curb Award and their own tribute page on the Memphis Hall of Fame’s website. The Hall of Fame is administered by the Memphis Rock ‘N’ Soul Museum.
Tickets for the Memphis Music Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony will go on sale Sept. 10. For more information, visit memphisrocknsoul.org.

Weekly Chart Report (8/30/13)

SPIN ZONE

Country Music Hall of Famer Whisperin' Bill Anderson (R) recently stopped by WKRC-TV in Cincinnati, OH to visit with Bob Herzog (L) about becoming the Honorary Captain of the Red's baseball team on August 24. Anderson wrote "Cincinnati, Ohio,” a hit for Connie Smith in the late sixties, and is currently being sung by the huge crowds at every Red's game this season.

Country Music Hall of Famer Whisperin’ Bill Anderson (R) recently stopped by WKRC-TV in Cincinnati to visit with Bob Herzog (L) about becoming the Honorary Captain of the Red’s baseball team on Aug. 24. Anderson wrote “Cincinnati, Ohio,” a hit for Connie Smith in the late sixties, and is currently being sung by the huge crowds at every Red’s game this season.


After spending 18 weeks on MusicRow’s chart, Thomas Rhett’s “It Goes Like This” takes the No. 1 spot with 3151 spins. Meanwhile, Jason Aldean’s “Night Train” continues its journey up the chart, landing at No. 2. Tim McGraw’s “Southern Girl” jumps to No. 3, while Toby Keith’s “Drinks After Work” moves to No. 4. Blake Shelton’s “Mine Would Be You” climbs three spots, settling at No. 5. Rounding out the top ten this week is Billy Currington’s “Hey Girl” at No. 6, Miranda Lambert’s “All Kinds Of Kinds” at No. 7, Luke Bryan’s “That’s My Kind Of Night” at No. 8, Taylor Swift’s “Red” at No. 9 and Eric Paslay’s “Friday Night” at No. 10.
Bryan’s “That’s My Kind Of Night” regains its title as the week’s greatest gainer, rising to No. 8 with another 554 spins. The Band Perry’s “Don’t Let Me Be Lonely” is shooting up the chart like their previous single “DONE,” landing at No. 34, gaining 427 more spins. Jake Owen’s “Days Of Gold” moves to No. 19 with an extra 331 spins, while Brad Paisley’s “I Can’t Change The World” leaps to No. 27 with an additional 273 spins. Finally, Dierks Bentley’s “I Hold On” ascends 22 spots, reaching No. 53 with 263 additional spins.
MusicRow’s Chart welcomes four worthy debuts this week, with Chelsea Bain’s “James Dean” debuting at No. 77, Clinton Gregory’s “You Smile” at No. 78, Sawyer Brown’s “Shadows Of The Heartland” at No. 79 and Andy Gibson’s “Best Thing” at No. 80.
Frozen Playlists: KCNY, KCJC, KVOM, WXMM, KMKS, KYYK, WXXK
Atlantic/WMN recording artist Brett Eldredge recently made good on his promise to skydive if his single “Don’t Ya” made it to the top of the charts. Pictured (L-R): Storme Warren (SiriusXM), Eldredge, and Byron Kennedy (KNCI)

Atlantic/WMN recording artist Brett Eldredge recently made good on his promise to skydive if his single “Don’t Ya” made it to the top of the charts. Pictured (L-R): Storme Warren (SiriusXM), Eldredge, and Byron Kennedy (KNCI)


Upcoming Singles
September 2
Steve Holy/Radio Up/Curb
Hunter Hayes feat. Jason Mraz/Everybody’s Got Somebody But Me/Atlantic-WMN
September 3
Tim Sweeney/Baby I Try For You/Oil House Records
Jared Daniels/Foot On the Dashboard/Shade Records
September 9
American Young/Love Is War/Curb
Brothers Osborne/Let’s Go There/EMI Nashville
Chris Janson/Cut Me Some Slack/Bigger Picture
Jo Dee Messina/Peace Sign/Dreambound
Kevin Fowler/How Country Are Ya?/Kevin Fowler
September 16
Derek Anthony/Cowboy Way/B L U A N T Music Group
Jamie Stever/Make My Day/Tri-Mount Entertainment
Colton James/101 Proof/Nine North
Payton Taylor/Small Town Paradise/Payton Taylor
September 23
Sara Evans/Slow Me Down/RCA Nashville
Randy Houser/Goodnight Kiss/Stoney Creek Records

BD-TheDash-080913-PP


New On The Chart—Debuting This Week
Artist/song/label — chart pos.
Chelsea Bain/James Dean/Jobe Entertainment – 77
Clinton Gregory/You Smile/Melody Roundup Music – 78
Sawyer Brown/Shadows of the Heartland/Beach Street Records – 79
Andy Gibson/Best Thing/Curb – 80
Most Added
Artist/song/label — New Adds
The Band Perry/Don’t Let Me Be Lonely/Republic Nashville – 24
Dierks Bentley/I Hold On/Capitol – 20
Jennifer Nettles/That Girl/Mercury – 15
Kellie Pickler/Little Bit Gypsy/Black River – 13
Brad Paisley/I Can’t Change The World/Arista Nashville – 13
Cole Swindell/Chillin’ It/Warner Bros. – 12
Alabama/All American/Show Dog-Universal – 11
Hunter Hayes feat. Jason Mraz/Everybody’s Got Somebody But Me/Atlantic-Warner Bros. – 9
Jake Owen/Days of Gold/RCA Nashville – 9
Greatest Spin Increase
Artist/song/label — spin+
Luke Bryan/That’s My Kind of Night/Capitol – 554
The Band Perry/Don’t Let Me Be Lonely/Republic Nashville – 427
Jake Owen/Days of Gold/RCA Nashville – 331
Brad Paisley/I Can’t Change The World/Arista Nashville – 273
Dierks Bentley/I Hold On/Capitol – 263
On Deck—Soon To Be Charting
Artist/song/label — spins
Vince Hatfield/World Goes Round/Blue Moon – 204
Joanna Mosca/I Guess That Says It All/Dolce Diva Music – 201
IMAJ/Guess Who’s Coming To Dinner/Thomas Triomphe Records – 191
Kellie Pickler/Little Bit Gypsy/Black River – 188
Philip Claypool/Strong One/HeyDay Records – 178

Toby Keith was with his daughter and singer Krystal were in Washington DC this past weekend with his Hammer Down Tour. The two hung out with the crew at WMZQ prior to the show. Pictured (L-R): Kim Sauer (WMZQ), Meg Stevens (OM/PD); Krystal, Toby, Boxer (morning show host), and Macy Morgenthaler (SDU)

Toby Keith was with his daughter and singer Krystal Keith in Washington DC this past weekend, with his Hammer Down Tour. The two hung out with the crew at WMZQ prior to the show. Pictured (L-R): Kim Sauer (WMZQ), Meg Stevens (OM/PD); Krystal, Toby, Boxer (morning show host), and Macy Morgenthaler (SDU).


Chris Janson paid a visit to KRTY to perform his brand new single “Cut Me Some Slack” in a show supporting of the San Jose’s annual Avon Breast Cancer Team Event. The Country newcomer will release his Bigger Picture Group CD on September 3. Pictured (L-R)  Nate Deaton (KRTY MD), Chris Janson, Tina Ferguson (and Sales Manager). Photo: Rudy Sabin

Chris Janson paid a visit to KRTY to perform his brand new single “Cut Me Some Slack” in a show supporting of the San Jose’s annual Avon Breast Cancer Team Event. The Country newcomer will release his Bigger Picture Group CD on September 3. Pictured (L-R) Nate Deaton (KRTY MD), Chris Janson, Tina Ferguson (and Sales Manager). Photo: Rudy Sabin.

George Strait To Announce Final Tour Dates On Sept. 9

george strait1

George Strait


George Strait will announce the final leg of The Cowboy Rides Away Tour on Monday, Sept. 9 during a live press conference from the AT&T Stadium (home of the Dallas Cowboys). The press conference is set to begin at 11 a.m. CDT. Strait fans can read about the announcement here.
Last year, Strait announced his intentions to retire from touring and his final tour, The Cowboy Rides Away Tour, during a press conference at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum in Nashville (watch the announcement below).
The industry has rallied to honor Strait’s legendary career, which includes 60 No. 1 songs throughout his 32 years in the industry, and album sales of more than 68 million units. On Wednesday (Aug. 28), Nashville’s music industry gathered at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center in Nashville to celebrate Strait’s enduring influence on Country music. The singer-songwriter will also be honored with Billboard‘s Legend of Live award, a title given to Sir Elton John, rock band Journey, and a select few other touring artists.

Cumulus Media To Buy Dial Global

Cumulus LogoCumulus Media announced plans this morning (Aug. 30) to purchase Dial Global Inc. using funds from the sale of some of its small market stations to Townsquare Media. The acquisition of Dial Global will add a variety of sports, news, talk, music and programming services content and enable Cumulus to provide a wider variety of options to its 10,000 stations, including NFL, NCAA, NASCAR, Olympics, AP Radio News, NBC News, and other programming.
The company’s planned transactions include the acquisition of Dial Global for $260 million in cash (consisting of approximately $45 million attributable to equity and the retirement of $215 million of debt), the sale of 53 stations in 12 small and mid-size markets to Townsquare Media for $238 million in cash (inclusive of the acquisition of net working capital), and a swap with Townsquare Media of 15 stations in two small and mid-level markets in exchange for five stations in Fresno, Calif. The planned acquisition will save the company about $40 million in operating costs, plus will have additional revenue potential from the creation of new content vehicles for broadcast radio advertisers.
“These transactions give us the necessary scale to provide the marketing and enterprise solutions our advertising and affiliate partners require,” said Lew Dickey, CEO of Cumulus. “Our goal is to be the leading producer of premium audio content distributed through multiple platforms while continuing to build our broadcast platform in the top 100 U.S. markets.”
The transactions are expected to close simultaneously following regulatory approval in the fourth quarter of 2013.

Charlie Cook On Air: Making Stars One Fan At A Time

Charlie Cook

Charlie Cook


Luke Bryan was all the buzz last week in Nashville. It has been a long time since a Country music artist debuted a CD with over 500,000 sales. In this case almost 528,000 sold the first week. Earlier this year Luke was the co-host of the ACM awards show and went on to surprise many (including himself) as the Entertainer of the Year for the organization. Now he goes Gold out of the chute. You know the ACM EOY is fan-voted and, of course, selling CDs is REALLY fan voted.
Over the weekend, I told a few people a little story about Luke from a couple of years back when I was at KKGO. Luke came into the station, did some time on the air and answered questions texted in by listeners. There are few performers as affable as Luke and he quickly made friends with the audience. Luke was still pretty new to the format at that time. After he got off the air he told me he had some time before his next appointment and wondered if he could get that list of texts so that he could spend about an hour calling some of the fans and saying hello.
Each text came with the cell phone number so he got directly to the listener when he called. I could hear the listeners screaming over the phone after he introduced himself to them and told them he just wanted to thank them for texting in and asking a question. That one hour built a foundation that will never crumble. I doubt this was the only time Luke did something like this so multiply that effort by scores of other events and you can see why, when it comes to voting for Luke Bryan, he is going to score big time.
When my daughter met Taylor Swift for the first time, five or so years ago, Taylor leaned down and got on her eye level (Izzy was about 7 then) and told her, “Izzy, your dad talks about you so much it seems like I already know you.” Well, Taylor made two lifelong friends with one statement. Now, I am not so naïve to think this was something just for me and Izzy, but taking extra effort to think about the fan is what makes Taylor so special.
Recently format newcomer Bobby Bones of Premiere Radio was being interviewed at Morning Show Boot Camp and he made a point of how accessible the country acts are to radio and their fans versus performers from other formats. This is something that jumps out at you during the Country Radio Seminar, during CMA Fan Fest, and backstage at concert meet-and-greets.
I have lived in Morgantown, W. Va. for three years, and with a gun to my head I could not tell you my next door neighbor’s name. I see Eric Church twice a year, after he has visited with thousands of people, and he comments about where we last visited and picks up the conversation. This attention to detail is what makes stars superstars. Do you think Kenny Chesney still has to stay around an hour after his concerts to sign autographs from the stage. Heck no. But he does and that is one of the reasons why over a million people put down their hard earned dollars for his shows, t-shirts, rum, sunglasses, CDs…well you get the idea.
I spent a day traveling with Austin Webb last week from Pittsburgh to Nashville. We just ran into each other at the airport and it was darn early. I wanted to sleep on the flights to Chicago and then to Nashville, and I know he did too. But he and I talked like we grew up together. Austin could have put his headphones on and closed his eyes but instead he saved me a seat and we talked for four hours about music. Not just his music.
I know these guys understand being cordial and remembering radio people is part of the job. I wonder why I don’t learn how to do it and remember my neighbor’s name.
(The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of MusicRow.)