FCC Frees Up White Space
Sarah Skates – 11/05/2008
The FCC yesterday (11/4) ruled in favor of the tech companies on the controversial white space debate. When television broadcasters switch to digital in February it will free up white space on the spectrum, which will be used by Google, Microsoft and others who plan to build new wireless devices that operate in this space. Artists, broadcasters and those who use wireless mics and the like have strongly objected the plan, fearing interference during live performances, and other problems.
Denise Roberts Leaves Universal Records South
Sarah Skates – 11/05/2008
Denise Roberts
Country By The Numbers (11/2/08)
David M Ross – 11/05/2008
Some electricity was provided on this week’s sales list from AC/DC who after two weeks have sparked over one million units. But acts such as Keith (90,617) and Flatts (88,654) which took the top two spots on the Current country album list did so at levels far below their previous outings. For example Keith’s last CD sold about 330,000 first week units in April ’06 and Rascal Flatts last project (not a Greatest Hits) scanned 547,000 units in Sept. ’07.
Also distressing was news from Pali Capital analyst Richard Greenfield regarding Wal-Mart‘s admission that CD sales had dropped 23% during the first four weeks of its fourth quarter. Greenfield reports, “We believe Wal-Mart is increasing its exposure to consumer electronics, video games and Blu-ray, and reducing floor space devoted to CDs and standard DVDs.”
Wal-Mart Chief Marketing Officer John Fleming confirmed to the analysts that space expansions would go to electronics at the expense of some of the physical packaged media such as CDs and movies. [Lowering shelf space is sure to further exacerbate downward the CD totals.]
Also noted was Wal-Mart’s growing preference toward exclusive CD releases such as AC/DC. “As packaged media continues to fade, Wal-Mart is focused on acquiring exclusive rights to music content, which enables it to sell multiple products to a consumer at one time; not just an $11.99 CD,” Greenfield wrote.
Country’s top three selling discs YTD are from Taylor Swift (Taylor Swift; 1.26 million), Sugarland (Love on the Inside; .98 million) and Carrie Underwood (Carnival Ride; .7 million)
BMI Toasts Creative Hive Behind Keith Urban's “You Look Good in My Shirt”
11/05/2008
BMI toasted the veteran trio of hit-makers behind BMI songwriter Keith Urban’s latest No. 1, “You Look Good in My Shirt,” Nov. 3 in its Music Row offices. Written by BMI writers Tony Martin, Mark Nesler and Tom Shapiro, the single originally earned a spot on Urban’s 2002 release Golden Road, but its effervescent popularity led to its second recording for his Be Here project and subsequent release as a single.
(L-R): Nesler, Shapiro, Martin and Urban; Disney Music Publishing VP Lisa Ramsey Perkins; BMI VP Writer/Publisher Relations Nashville, Jody Williams; EMI Music Publishing Exec. VP/GM Nashville, Gary Overton; Pres./CEO Capitol Records Nashville, Mike Dungan; Sony/ATV Sr. VP Creative Terry Wakefield; and Disney Music Publishing Sr. VP/GM Doug Howard. Photo: John Russell
Wy Set For Busy Holiday Season
Sarah Skates – 11/04/2008
Also this Christmas, Wynonna will appear in Holiday Notes From Home: A Christmas Tribute for the Troops special airing on the American Forces Radio & Television Service. The performance was taped live at the Grand Ole Opry House and is set to air worldwide Dec. 24. She also guests on the Elvis Presley Christmas Duets album, with her recording of “Santa Claus is Back in Town.”
Raul Malo’s New Album Is A Lucky One
Sarah Skates – 11/04/2008
Raul Malo
Malo, who has earned much critical respect over the years, wrote Lucky One over a two-year period at his Nashville home and was so happy with the results that several of his home demos appear as final versions on the CD. He once again enlisted Steve Berlin, known for his work with Los Lobos and also on Malo’s 2001 Today album, as co-producer. The lead single will be “Hello Again.”
Next month he will travel to several cities previewing new songs, as well as performing his solo and Mavericks classics, and sprinkling in some holiday fare.
Poet and Prophet Dean Dillon Honored
11/04/2008
Dean Dillon was honored Saturday (11/1) in the latest installment of the Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum’s quarterly program series Poets and Prophets: Legendary Country Songwriters. The SRO program featured an interview with and performance by Dillon, who has written numerous hits and is perhaps best known for the many songs he has penned for Country Music Hall of Famer George Strait, including “The Chair” and “Ocean Front Property.”
(L-R): program host Michael Gray, Assoc. Museum Editor; songwriters and past Poets and Prophets honorees Whitey Shafer and Hank Cochran; artist Lee Ann Womack; and Dillon. Photo: Donn Jones
Troy Olsen Signs with THIS Music/Warner Chappell Music
11/04/2008
Singer/songwriter Troy Olsen has signed a publishing deal with THIS Music/Warner Chappell Music along with partner Rio Nuevo Entertainment. The Arizona native, who has worked with Rio Nuevo for the past several years, has had recent cuts by Tim McGraw and Blake Shelton.
(L-R) back: Olsen’s Attorney Scott Safford; Warner Chappell’s Dale Bobo; THIS Music’s Tim Nichols and Connie Harrington; and Warner Chappell’s BJ Hill, Alicia Jordan and Kos Weaver. Front: THIS Music’s Rusty Gaston; Olsen; and Rio Nuevo Ent.’s Gary Wirt.
Industry News Tuesday (11/4/08)
Brooks & Dunn will embark on their second Australian tour in May 2009, produced by Rob Potts Entertainment Edge, Chugg Entertainment and CMC. Joined by Dierks Bentley, on his first Australian tour, they will kick off...
Artist News Tuesday (11/4/08)
Randy Owen's debut solo album, One On One, and his Born Country memoir, are both in stores today (11/4). His first official album/book in-store appearance is scheduled for Nov. 6 at the Sam’s...
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JASON MATTHEWS
“Travelin’ Light”
RAWSTIN
“The Rodeo Is Over”
MARK WILLS
“Days of Thunder”
BRANDI VALENTINE
“Burnin’ Bridges”
MOORE & MOORE WITH GEORGE “GOOBER” LINDSEY
“Fine Me a Man Like Goober”
INDIAN RODEO
“My Block”
BILLY McKNIGHT
“You’re the Ticket”
CERRITO
“Dona Carmela”
TIM WILSON
“But I Could Be Wrong”
COWBOY TROY & ANGELA HACKER
“Hick Chick”
