Industry Ink Thursday (7/21)

MCA Nashville’s Ashton Shepherd hit six cities in five days to celebrate the release of her album Where Country Grows. She played to a near capacity crowd at Cotton Eyed Joe's in Knoxville at a show sponsored by WIVK. Shepherd also stopped in Atlanta, where she is pictured here with (L-R): MCA’s Van Haze, WKHX PD Mark Richards, and WKHX MD Mike Macho.


Artists Set For ICM Awards
The 17th Annual Inspirational Country Music Awards will include appearances by Lee Greenwood, Joey & Rory, Ricky Skaggs and The Roys. Popular television personalities Storme Warren and Megan Alexander will host the Oct. 28 show at Nashville’s Schermerhorn Symphony Center.
CMT Radio
Erin Duvall is joining the CMT Radio team in Nashville today as Associate Producer. She has worked for AOL’s The Boot and Country Aircheck and recently relocated back to Nashville from Los Angeles. In this role, Duvall will be responsible for helping to produce CMT’s radio programming, representing CMT Radio at industry events, conducting artist interviews, as well as writing the network’s prep materials that are sent nightly to CMT Radio Network’s over 160 radio affiliates.
Duvall will work closely with Curt Miller who has been promoted to the role of Producer, CMT Radio Network. Miller joined CMT Radio in November 2010 and previously held the position of Associate Producer after working with Fox 17’s Tennessee Mornings for five years. Both Duvall and Miller report to Jean Williams, Director of CMT Radio.
Turntable.fm
Turntable.fm has secured licenses with ASCAP and BMI. Users of the growing social music site join virtual crowds in themed rooms where they can listen to music selected by “DJs” or become a DJ themselves. The crowd can vote on each song selection and chat with each other.
Airplay Direct
AirPlay Direct has hired Lee Williams as Manager of International Development. He is the founder and owner of European country music radio station CMR, which is in its seventh year of broadcasting. Each month it reaches nearly 500,000 listeners around the world.

Hirings At Quarterback, Gary Musick Productions

Valerie Summers


Gary Musick Productions announces the addition of Valerie Summers as Vice President of Sales and Customer Relations. Summers, who was previously an agent at William Morris Endeavor Entertainment, brings with her 20 years of music industry experience. Valerie and her husband, Kip Summers, are co-owners of Arrington Vineyards where her husband is also the winemaker.
Gary Musick Productions is a creative event and live entertainment production company, based in Nashville since 1980. The company produces more than 200 corporate and association events each year. It also creates and manages stage shows for some of the world’s leading cruise lines.
She can be contacted at valerie@garymusick.com or (615) 324-5549.
• • • •

Kelly Symone


Kelly Symone has joined Quarterback Records as West Coast/Southwest Promotion Director. She has spent more than three years with KNTY/Sacramento, most recently as MD. Her previous stops include KNCI, KREL and WDAF.
“We’re glad to round out our regional staff with Kelly,” says VP of Promotion Tony Benken. “Her energy and passion will complement the rest of the team.”
Symone will remain based in Sacramento. She can be reached at (916) 868-3331 or kellysymone@quarterbackrecords.com.

Spins.FM Enables Radio Requests

Country music research, unlike data from some other musical formats continues to return a gaping disconnect between social networking, radio and sales success. Why? Because country format research overwhelmingly shows radio as the dominant exposure medium for engaging and interacting with fans. In fact, conventional wisdom in this musical arena firmly names radio as essential for success. But what about an artist with strong social networking numbers? How can they leverage that digital strength to help them on the airwaves?
Spins.FM has launched a listener request tool that bridges social media and FM radio. The company explains, “The listener request line has always been the primary channel for radio stations to connect with fans. Our social radio request app gives it an update, enabling Twitter and Facebook conversations to take to the airwaves.”
The new software, launched last month, allows artists and radio stations to place the app on their Facebook pages. With a click, followers, friends and likes can send a fast message to their local stations to request  favorite songs.

“Our Social Radio Request App enables radio station program directors and DJs to improve their presence on social media while tracking what their audiences want with more precision than ever,” said Spins.FM founder David Baker.

Examples of artists who are already using the app include Britney Spears, Chris Brown and Cody Simpson.
 

Musical Chairs at Cold River, Tenacity

Jeff Davis


Cold River Records and Tenacity Records are shuffling radio promotion staffers.
Promo exec Jeff Davis has exited Cold River and joined Tenacity. Meanwhile, his former label is filling the void with a promotion and two new hirings.
Davis’s first official day as Tenacity’s National Director of Promotion will be July 26. He joins Sr. VP of Promotion David Haley, and National Director of Promotion Gary Greenberg at the label headed by President Mike Kraski.
Davis’s other stops include Southeast regional for Country Thunder Records, and 18 years in country radio, including time programming WGNE/Jacksonville, FL.
“We couldn’t be more pleased to add someone with the passion, energy and knowledge of country music that Jeff brings to our team,” Kraski said.
Davis will continue to be based in Jacksonville and can be reached at 615-260-4975 or jeff.davis@tenacityrecords.com.
“We love Jeff and wish him great success in his new position,” said Cold River Pres. Pete O’Heeron. “His passion and dedication will be missed and it will take two people to replace him…and that is just what we decided to do.”
Jim Dandy has been promoted to National Director of Promotion for the Cold River team. New regionals joining immediately are WKDF’s Halie Hampton, and longtime radio personality Wayne Manning.
“We are excited about Halie and Wayne joining our team,” added O’Heeron. “They bring a new energy and passion to support the growing national audience of Katie Armiger.”
Mary Lynne O’Neal will continue her role as a regional.
Jim@coldriverrecords.com, (615) 483-4250
Halie@coldriverrecords.com, (615) 881-3622.
Wayne@coldriverrecords.com, (801) 361-2993.
Marylynne@coldriverrecords.com, (903) 926-0625

Weekly Chart Report (7/15/11)


New No. 1 – Lady Antebellum “Just A Kiss”
• • • • •

Easton Corbin visited with WCTK/Providence staff at Showcase Live/Foxboro, MA on July 10. Mercury recently celebrated Corbin being the first solo male country artist in 17 years to have his first two singles reach No. 1 at radio. (L-R): WCTK MD Jessica Tyler, Corbin, and Mercury’s Sally Green


SPIN ZONE
Following a record-setting heatwave in the South and many other parts of the country, it’s evident that summer is in full swing. That means a number things for all of us: vacations near water, painful sunburns, and of course, summer songs on country radio.
Every year artists try their hand at recording and releasing a summer classic, but only a special few are fortunate enough to make it happen. There are ample offerings at present, so we checked in with a few CountryBreakout Reporters to see what listeners love. Many name-checked Keith Urban’s “Long Hot Summer” (No. 19) and Jason Aldean’s “Dirt Road Anthem” (No. 7) right off the bat.
“Favorite song for the younger generation is ‘Dirt Road Anthem,’” says Susie Martin of WATZ/Alpena, MI. “After that, it’s Keith Urban’s ‘Long Hot Summer’ and Kenny Chesney/Grace Potter duet ‘You and Tequila.’”
“The new Keith Urban is firing up our phones big time,” echoes Boomer Kingston of KGKL/San Angelo, TX
“Listener favorites would have to be a toss up between Taylor Swift’s ‘Mean’ and Jason Aldean’s ‘Dirt Road Anthem,’” adds CW Simon of KMKS/Bay City, TX.
“Wolf listeners can’t get enough of ‘Long Hot Summer,’” chimes in Colby Ericson of KVWF/Wichita. “We’ve set several records for heat in the past month and of course we would latch on to this one!”
Jake Owen’s latest, which hit No. 10 this week, also received some praise for its summer theme.
“Current top requests for us is Jake Owen’s ‘Barefoot Blue Jean Night’ because it is an uptempo cooker,” says Ted Cramer of WIFE/Connersville, IN.
“Best summer song of the season is Jake Owen’s ‘Barefoot Blue Jean Night,’” agrees JR Runyon of KCNY/Conway, AR. “I just wish it was longer, but then don’t we all wish summer was too?”
Other popular tunes included Scotty McCreery, Zac Brown Band and the latest from Sawyer Brown.
“Our listeners’ favorite new summer song is without a doubt the new Sawyer Brown song ‘Smokin’ Hot Wife,’” says Heath Shelby of KWCK/Searcy, AR
“Our top requested summer song—a song that’s popular in summer even if it doesn’t sound typically summer—is ‘I Love You This Big’ by Scotty McCreery,” says Dave Spencer of WBKR/Owensboro, KY.
“Central Maine is lovin’ ‘Knee Deep’ by Zac Brown Band and Jimmy Buffett,” says Andy Capwell of WEBB/Augusta, ME. “Alan Jackson’s ‘Long Way To Go’ and Phil Vassar’s ‘Let’s Get Together’ are also getting a solid response.”
Time will reveal how enduring these songs will be. When asked about their favorite classic summer songs, a few titles invariably come up. Interestingly, the song that came up most often among CountryBreakout reporters was Kid Rock’s 2008 crossover hit “All Summer Long.”
“Can’t wait to get out the northern summer songs like Kid Rock’s ‘All Summer Long,’ which is specifically about northern Michigan,” says Susie Martin.
“Kid Rock’s ‘All Summer Long’ is still one of our most requested summer songs, and my favorite is still Kenny Chesney’s ‘Summertime,’” says Doug Rogers of WJMG/Shawano, WI.
“Alan Jackson’s ‘Summertime Blues’ is still one of my all time favorites,” suggests Boomer Kingston of KGKL.
“Older tunes getting requests include Kid Rock’s ‘All Summer Long’ and Phil Vassar’s ‘Six Pack Summer,’” says Ted Cramer of WIFE.
“As far as classics, the two we still get calls for are Kid Rock’s ‘All Summer Long’ and the ‘Summer Fun Mix’ of Alan Jackson’s ‘Good Time,’” says Heath Shelby of KWCK.
• • • • •
Frozen Playlists: KTJJ, KTTI, Sirius XM, WAAG, WDXX, WHWK, WJVL, WPPL, WTRS




Upcoming Singles
July 18
LeAnn Rimes/Give/Curb
Craig Morgan/This Ole Boy/Black River
Kristin Chenoweth/I Want Somebody/Sony/CO5
Taylor Swift/Sparks Fly/Big Machine
Darren Warren/Cowboy Up and Party Down/NuCorp/Nine North
July 25
Montgomery Gentry/Where I Come From/Average Joe’s
Blake Shelton/God Gave Me You/Warner Bros./WMN
Martina McBride/I’m Gonna Love You Through It/Republic Nashville
Sonia Leigh/My Name Is Money/Southern Ground/BPG
Eric Paslay/Never Really Wanted/EMI Records Nashville
Keith Bryant/Can’t Tell Somebody Who To Love/Jordash
• • • • •
New On The Chart—Debuting This Week
Artist/song/label — chart pos.
Taylor Swift/Sparks Fly/Big Machine — 48
Blake Shelton/God Gave Me You/Warner Bros./WMN — 52
Eric Lee Beddingfield/Great Depression/Rebel Dawg Music — 72
Craig Morgan/This Ole Boy/Black River Entertainment — 79
Susan Cattaneo/Girls Night Out/Jersey Girl Music — 80
Greatest Spin Increase
Artist/song/label — spin+
Blake Shelton/God Gave Me You/Warner Bros./WMN — 543
Taylor Swift/Sparks Fly/Big Machine — 413
Keith Urban/Long Hot Summer/Capitol — 408
Toby Keith/Made In America/Show Dog-Universal — 328
Brad Paisley feat. Carrie Underwood/Remind Me/Arista — 281
Most Added
Artist/song/label — New Adds
Blake Shelton/God Gave Me You/Warner Bros./WMN — 41
Taylor Swift/Sparks Fly/Big Machine — 30
Martina McBride/I’m Gonna Love You Through It/Republic Nashville — 17
Rascal Flatts f. Natasha Bedingfield/Easy/Big Machine — 14
Montgomery Gentry/Where I Come From/Average Joe’s — 12
Eric Lee Beddingfield/Great Depression/Rebel Dawg Music — 8
On Deck—Soon To Be Charting
Artist/song/label — spins
Katie Armiger/I Do But Do I/Cold River — 234
Montgomery Gentry/Where I Come From/Average Joe — 223
Cash Creek/Unlikely Angel/Ohana Music Group — 197
Big & Rich/Fake ID/Warner — 194
Martina McBride/I’m Gonna Love You Through It/Republic Nashville — 180

Columbia Nashville newcomer Bradley Gaskin made a stop at WIL/St. Louis to serve up a round of "Mr. Bartender," his self-penned, debut single. (L-R): Sony Nashville Senior VP Promotion Skip Bishop, APD/MDWIL Danny Montana and Gaskin.


Sherry Lynn filled Court House Square in Hampton, Iowa, June 28 for the Chamber of Commerce’s “Tuesday on the Town” series. Sherry’s show was selected to raise funds for the Franklin County Relay for Life. (L-R): KLMJ/Hampton, IA's Mike Betten, Sherry Lynn, Janet Betten

Industry Ink Thursday (7/14)

Mark Gray


Republic Adds To Radio Team
Republic Nashville has hired Mark Gray as Director of Southwest Promotion. Gray will begin immediately, based in Nashville and working Republic Nashville acts Martina McBride, The Band Perry, Eli Young Band and Sunny Sweeney.
Gray replaces Crystal Williams and will report directly to National Director of Promotion Matthew Hargis. “Mark is a road dawg with a big heart who loves Country music!” says Hargis. “We are very excited to have him join the Ape den at Republic Nashville.”
Gray’s career began at Clear Channel in Charlotte, NC. He quickly moved up the ranks and landed the job of WKKT Marketing Director. Eventually Gray relocated to Nashville to be tour manager for Troy Olsen. “Republic Nashville has amazing talent and I’m ready to hit the road running,” says Gray. “This is a great opportunity and I can’t wait to roll up my sleeves and tackle the Southwest. It’s an honor be a part of this team.” He can be reached at (704) 906-4970 or mark.gray@republicnashville.com.
TCN Relocating Headquarters
The Country Network is moving its headquarters from Nashville to Boca Raton, Fla. The change was announced recently in the Palm Beach Post. According to the newspaper, TCN will maintain an office in Nashville. The network plans to hire 20 employees in its new home base, where it has leased a 3,800-square-foot office and is looking for studio space. TCN CEO Warren Hansen owns a home in Boca Raton.

Kay Clary (L) in an inspired vintage gown at the Americana Music Awards with Jayne Rogovin and Jim Lauderdale. Clary often scores saris like this at Goodwill and alters them to her taste.


• • • BMI media maven Kay Clary is profiled in today’s Tennessean, in an article highlighting her cool vintage fashion sense. She discusses her favorite stores, love of pieces circa 1964, and thrift-store hunting for newbies.
• • • Media industry veteran Erik Logan is continuing with Oprah’s Harpo Studios in a new role. Along with fellow Harpo Pres. Sheri Salata, Logan will serve as president of OWN network. Logan’s ties to Nashville include serving on the CMA board of directors and a successful career in radio.
• • • Former SoundExchange Executive Director John L. Simson has re-established a law practice in Washington, D.C. and has joined Lommen, Abdo, Cole, King & Stageberg.
• • • ZMX Music is a growing company offering direct-to-fan sheet music delivery through artist websites, Facebook, and MySpace. Founder Eric Ziering will be in Nashville July 19–22 for meetings about the company. Contact Lori Meadows at lmeadows@zmxmusic.com or Kate Richardson at kate@richlynmarketing.com to inquire about an appointment. Among the artists already on board with ZMX Music is Josh Kelley.
• • • Known as The Claw, the stage from U2’s 360 tour will be hitting the auction block after the tour ends. For additional information, 3D renderings, size specs and more visit www.panthermanagement.com/theclaw.
• • • United Stations Radio Networks has launched www.countrymusicontheroad.com, a full-time, internet-only radio station programmed with live Country music concerts. Now in its eighteenth year, “The Road” is a nationally distributed radio show hosted by Charlie Cook and offering concert performances from country stars. CountryMusicOnTheRoad.com offers the archived concerts from the radio show.

Michael Martin Murphey Signs; Amber Hayes Visits

Michael Martin Murphey, who’s hits include “Wildfire,” “Carolina In The Pines,” and “What’s Forever For,” has signed an agency representation agreement with New Hampshire-based Skyline Music says company President Bruce Houghton. (Not connected with Nashville’s Skyline Music/Skyville Records.)
“We’re excited to be working with Michael Martin Murphey; not just because of his rich past, but also because he continues to reinvent himself, releasing a new album every year and pushing musical boundaries,” said Houghton. “His fans love him for it and we’re honored be part of his ongoing journey.” Murphey’s responsible Skyline agent is Barron Ruth 866-531-2172 x 102 or barron@skylineonline.com.

Amber Hayes with WCOW PD Arnie Andrews


>>Amber Hayes visits with WCOW PD Arnie Andrews in Sparta/LaCrosse, WI to introduce her new single, “Wait.”
After her visit at Cow97, Hayes treated contest winners to a performance and meet and greet that included a free lunch.

Marlee Scott Showcases New Material In Nashville

Bigride Records artist Marlee Scott showcased in front of a music industry crowd at Red Rooster on Demonbreun yesterday (7/12).
At the private event, Scott gave attendees a sneak preview of the video for her current single “Beautiful Maybe,” which was directed by Wes Edwards. Scott followed that with a set of new songs including “Let It Rain,” “Trainwreck,” and “Planet of Your Own.” She finished the set off with a live version of “Beautiful Maybe,” which was penned by hit songwriters Marcus Hummon, Tia Sillers, and Tania Hancheroff.
Scott is currently in the middle of a national radio tour to support “Beautiful Maybe.”

(L-R): CO5 Nashville’s David Newmark, Teebo Consulting’s Teddi Bonadies, New Music Nashville’s Bob Guerra, Scott, Bigride Entertainment’s Gerry Leiske, Bullseye Marketing’s John Hart.

 

Industry Salutes Easton Corbin's Hot-Streak


Easton Corbin and Carson Chamberlain


Easton Corbin
was feted at a lunchtime celebration today (7/13) at BMI’s Music Row offices. The Mercury Records artist is the only solo male in the last 17 years to have his first two singles reach the top of the radio charts.
He broke through in a major way with debut single “I’m A Little More Country Than That,” written by Rory Feek, Don Pothyress and Wynn Varble. He followed that up with the No. 1 “Roll With It,” from the pens of David Lee, Tony Lane and Johnny Park. Some of these writers were on hand today to help mark the artist’s success.
UMG Nashville General Manager Ken Robold started the accolades, noting that Corbin’s album is nearing Gold territory with 400,000 units sold. The project has spawned 1 million single downloads.
BMI’s Jody Williams was the next presenter, exclaiming to Corbin, “There are a lot of publishers in this room who have invested in your career and boy, are they glad they did!”
Sure enough, among the publishers in BMI’s back lobby were Pat Higdon, Roger Murrah, Troy Tomlinson, Carla Wallace and Kos Weaver. Corbin is building his own songwriting career at Bug Music.
CMA’s Brandi Simms also saluted Corbin’s hot-streak. Cheering in the front row were fellow CMA staffers Bob Doerschuk and Betsy Walker. Doerschuk joked that the ladies are part of the organization’s unstoppable “plaque squad.”
Then Corbin and producer/songwriter Carson Chamberlain treated the industry crowd to an acoustic performance of the hits we were there to celebrate.
Corbin’s UMG and BMI team members were among the dozens of minglers dining on delicious veggie orzo, shrimp skewers, sliced tomatoes tossed in vinaigrette, chicken tenderloins, and miniature desserts.
On the way out partygoers received Easton-autographed posters (pictured above) commemorating the occasion.

(L-R): Carson Chamberlain (producer); Damon Moberly (Mercury VP, National Promotion); Sally Green (Mercury Director, Regional Promotion, Northeast); Joe Putnam (UMGN VP, National Road Promotion); Easton Corbin; Royce Risser (UMGN Sr. VP, National Promotion); Doug Nichols (Turner & Nichols & Associates, Co-Manager); Ken Robold (UMGN Executive Vice President, General Manager); Eddie Mascolo (Turner & Nichols & Associates).

Shepherd Cultivates Where Country Grows Release

Ashton Shepherd’s sophomore album Where Country Grows hit stores yesterday (7/12), and the young MCA singer/songwriter is making the media rounds to support it. The album’s title track and second single is currently going for adds at country radio.
Shepherd’s album launch week kicked off last Friday (7/8) with a high profile performance on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. (See video here). This week she’s on the road in the South, visiting a different city every day to promote Where Country Grows.
On Monday (7/11) Shepherd traveled to her home state of Alabama, where she gave a live on-air performance at WDXB/Birmingham. She journeyed farther south on Tuesday (7/12) when she visited with WKSJ/Mobile before an in-store event at Wal-Mart. Today (7/13) Shepherd is in Atlanta, where she will visit both WKHX and WUBL, do an in-store signing, and be taped by AOL for an episode of their “On The Road” feature. Thursday (7/14), she’ll head to Knoxville for an in-store signing and a visit with WIVK. Later, she will perform with full band at Cotton Eyed Joe. Shepherd will return to Nashville Friday (7/15) for a WKDF listener luncheon performance at Whiskey Bent and a full band performance later that night at Tin Roof/Lexington, KY.
Early reviews for Where Country Grows have been very positive. Rolling Stone gave the album four stars and declared her an “Artist To Watch.” Entertainment Weekly awarded the album with an A-, and the Washington Post selected Shepherd as one of the five top new artists in all genres to watch in 2011. MusicRow’s Robert Oermann writes that he is “hopelessly in love with this artist” in today’s “DISClaimer” column.

(L to R): UMGN's Tom Lord, WKSJ/Mobile morning co-host Shelby, Shepherd, WKSJ PD Bill Black and MCA's Louie Newman