Luke Bryan’s Farm Tour Kicks Off

Bryan at inagural Farm Tour show

Bryan at his inaugural Farm Tour show.

Luke Bryan kicked off his Farm Tour earlier this week (10/5) to an audience of 3,500 at the Hurricane Branch Plantation just outside of Statesboro, Georgia. The show, opened by Colt Ford, helped benefit a scholarship fund for students at Georgia Southern University, Bryan’s alma mater. The show was the start to Bryan’s Doing My Thing album launch, where he will visit nine cities in nine days, doing in-stores, visiting radio stations and performing.

Book Offers Cultural Bill Of Rights

BOOK_ArtsBook Review

Arts, Inc.: How Greed and Neglect Have Destroyed Our Cultural Rights Bill Ivey (University of California Press, 2008)

Bill Ivey is one of the most articulate commentators on art and culture in America. He served as head of the National Endowment for the Arts during the Clinton Administration and prior to that was Executive Director of the Country Music Hall of Fame and active as a leader in NARAS, better known today as grammy.com. His lucid book, Arts, Inc., is  one of the most insightful looks at arts and culture that you will find. For those in the music industry it should be a “must read,” although large organizations owning vast amounts of copyrights may squirm a bit.

The book begins with a “Cultural Bill of Rights,” six “rights” that include the “right to our heritage,” to “the prominent presence of artists in public life,” “to an artistic life,” “to be represented to the rest of the world by art that fairly and honestly communicates America’s democratic values and ideals,” “to know about and explore art of the highest quality” and “to healthy arts enterprises that can take risks and invest in innovation while serving communities and the public interest.”

This book is a manifesto but it doesn’t hit you over the head with one man’s opinions; instead, Ivey demonstrates, through good journalism, research and personal background that we need to re-think the role of arts and culture in America, especially as it relates to copyright law.

In the Introduction, Ivey gives some personal stories of interacting with the Clintons while he was head of the National Endowment for the Arts as well as some personal glimpses of his childhood. He uses this as a springboard to talk about culture and the arts in America and notes that “culture is more than the surface sheen of civilization; it’s an important reservoir of both identity and individual expression—a reservoir that must be well secured.”

Ivey states that “Government…has failed to protect the expressive lives of citizens and instead politicized and trivialized the cultural conversation, even allowing self-interested punditry, advertisers, and media executives to trample free-speech principles” and quotes cultural critic Lawrence Lessig, who states, “the law’s role is less and less to support creativity, and more and more to protect certain industries against competition.”

In a chapter on “Heritage” he notes that “the concentration of ownership of America’s intangible cultural heritage in fewer and fewer hands has followed the trend toward consolidation in our arts industry.” He criticizes corporations for “owning” America’s past, claiming copyright on works that lead to a suppression of cultural history. Record companies are criticized for owning vast stores of recordings that the public never hears and these companies block access to these recordings through copyright, which leads to “controlling” our heritage. Further, these record companies really don’t know what they own or how much has been lost.

Ivey criticizes the current copyright law but offers solutions, such as requiring copyright holders to pay modest fees in order to maintain copyright ownership rather than the current 95 years that record, movie and TV companies now have.

He discusses the isolation that classical music has imposed upon itself, taking itself out of popular culture, and compares American arts and culture policies and practices in the rest of the world. (Many other countries have a “Minister of Culture.”)

A chapter on “The Failure of Government” gives a good behind-the-scenes look at government dealing with the arts and, for the most part, it ain’t a pretty picture.

In his conclusion, Ivey notes that arts in the United States has gone from being participatory—people sitting at home playing and singing—to a consumer culture where we are a non-participatory audience. He asserts that “Today intellectual property law constitutes a constellation of constraint that locks up heritage, ties the hands of creativity, and assigns a price to an ever-widening spectrum of our expressive life” and that “claims of ownership in the U.S. arts system have begun to undermine the creative process.”

This review is much too short to do justice to such a well-thought-out book. For those who think seriously about arts and culture it is a must read.

Lambert Scores No. 1 Debut

miranda-albumMiranda Lambert’s third album Revolution debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Country Albums chart with first week sales of almost 66,000 units, according to Nielsen SoundScan, a division of The Nielsen Company. She also brought in the highest debut week digital sales for a country female this year.

With the release of Revolution, she becomes one of three country artists in SoundScan history to have each of their first three albums  enter at No. 1 on the Country Album Chart. The Sony Nashville artist has seen a 20+ percent bump in first week sales between every album.

Lots of positive press and promotion probably helped the sales figures. She has been busy promoting the album with appearances on big-time shows like Letterman, Good Morning America, Late Night With Jimmy Fallon, The Ellen DeGeneres Show, The Bonnie Hunt Show, E! News and GAC. Among the publications raving about the project are Rolling Stone, USA Today, and Entertainment Weekly.

After 27 days on the road, Lambert is at home taking a break before heading back out with Brad Paisley’s tour and her own headlining dates.

Live Nation/TM Merger Faces UK Roadblocks

The proposed Live Nation/Ticketmaster merger is facing opposition from the U.K.’s Competition Commission (CC). The organization made a provisional ruling against the merger and released a statement saying it could, “severely inhibit the entry of a major new competitor – CTS Eventim – into the U.K. ticketing market….This could lead to higher net prices (eg due to lower rebates to promoters and venues) and/or lower service quality and/or less innovation in the market than would otherwise be the case.”

CTS Eventim, a German company, already provides Live Nation with ticketing software and operations for several European companies and is moving into the U.K. and other markets through that partnership.

The CC listed some changes Live Nation and Ticketmaster could make to win its approval. A final CC report is expected by Nov. 24.

Live Nation and Ticket master have issued a joint statement.

“Live Nation and Ticketmaster respect the Competition Commission for its analysis of the merger and have cooperated, and will continue to cooperate, fully during this ongoing process,” said the statement. “Both our companies are committed to this merger and look forward to addressing any and all issues that the commission deems necessary, but we must be clear about the challenges of the music industry, which is at a decisive crossroad. The recording industry is a shell of its former self. Where the recording industry was once the economic engine for the music business, it is live entertainment that is now the future of the music industry…We firmly believe that our merger achieves an important and much needed public interest, and remain optimistic that it will ultimately be approved.”

Nashville Music Awards Honor Swift, Other Locals

nma_db_01Taylor Swift was the big winner at the Nashville Music Awards last night (10/7), collecting three trophies during a reception at the Cannery Ballroom. The 19-year-old Big Machine recording artist was named Artist of the Year and Songwriter/Artist of the Year, with her album Fearless earning Country Album of the Year honors.

Presented by Leadership Music in partnership with music festival and conference Next Big Nashville (NBN), the Nashville Music Awards were established to recognize outstanding contributions in all genres of music and to celebrate the diversity and quality of artists and music professionals who call Nashville their home.

Other highlights include Lady Antebellum scoring New Artist of the Year, Jack White being named Top Instrumentalist, Liz Rose being voted Songwriter of the Year, and Regie Hamm’s “The Time of My Life” performed by American Idol winner David Cook, taking home Song of the Year. In the album categories, Jars of Clay won for Gospel/Contemporary Christian, and Kings of Leon received the trophy for Pop/Rock.

Winners were announced in 19 categories by NMA nominating committee members including NBN Owner Jason Moon Wilkins, Warner Chappell Sr. VP Tracy Gershon, and Leadership Music board member Robert K. Oermann.

This year marks the first partnership between Leadership Music and Next Big Nashville for this awards presentation, held on the opening night of the NBN festival. The NMAs previously were produced from 1995 through 2000 by Leadership Music. The 2009 winners were chosen by popular vote via online balloting. Eligible recordings or projects must have been active in the marketplace between January 1, 2008 and June 30, 2009 and NMA awards are limited to persons and organizations residing in Davidson County and surrounding counties.

The Nashville Music Award trophy was designed and donated by George P. Johnson. A complete list of 2009 Nashville Music Awards winners follows. Look for a detailed report of the Awards ceremony from MusicRow’s own Bobby Karl in tomorrow’s @MusicRow, for paid subscribers only.

2009 Winners

Artist Of The Year: Taylor Swift

Best New Artist: Lady Antebellum

Song Of The Year: “The Time Of My Life,” Written By Regie Hamm (Recorded By David Cook)

Next Big Nashville Award (Emerging Artist): Brooke Waggoner

Songwriter Of The Year: Liz Rose

Songwriter-Artist Of The Year: Taylor Swift

Poster/Album Artwork/Packaging Of The Year: Roy Orbison, The Soul Of Rock And Roll Boxed Set, Latocki Team Creative

Instrumentalist Of The Year: Jack White

Music Video/Film Of The Year: Rascal Flatts, “Here Comes Goodbye,” Directed By Shaun Silva

Made In Music City Award (For A Recording Made In Nashville By A Non-Nashville Artist): Elvis Costello, Secret, Profane & Sugarcane, T Bone Burnett, Producer; Recorded At Sound Emporium Studio

Bluegrass Album Of The Year: The Steeldrivers, The Steeldrivers on Rounder Records

Country Album Of The Year: Taylor Swift, Fearless on Big Machine Records

Americana Album Of The Year: Sarah Siskind, Say It Louder on Request/Thirty Tigers Records

Urban Recording Of The Year: April Rucker, Here I Stand [EP] By One Staj Music Group

Gospel/Contemporary Christian Album Of The Year: Jars Of Clay, The Long Fall Back To Earth on Gray Matters/Essential Records

Jazz/Blues Album Of The Year: Take 6, The Standard on Heads Up Records (Telarc)

Pop/Rock Album Of The Year: Kings Of Leon, Only By The Night on RCA

Innovator: Landmark Digital Services, LLC for Bluearrow Audio Recognition

Heritage Award: The Fisk Jubilee Singers, Accepted By Musical Director Paul Kwami

Swift Extends “Fearless” Run

taylor_swift_13557As Taylor Swift plans for this weekend’s final shows of her sold-out Fearless 2009 Tour, she revealed that she will extend the outing into 2010. She will kick off the Fearless 2010 Tour on February 4th in Brisbane, Australia and play five shows Down Under, presented by Michael Coppel Presents, before beginning her North American run on March 4th in Tampa, Florida. In 2010, she will headline 37 shows in 29 cities in the US and Canada. Tickets are set to go on sale later this month, starting at a reasonable $25.

Swift’s good friend Kellie Pickler and rising stars Gloriana have been part of the 2009 run and will continue on the 2010 tour. The outing, promoted in North America by The Messina Group/AEG Live, has been one of the year’s hottest tickets, with every show selling out within minutes. She sold out Madison Square Garden in one minute and the Los Angeles STAPLES center in just two minutes.

The 19-year-old is scheduled for a busy fall, including the release a CD/DVD set entitled Fearless Platinum Edition on October 27th. On November 11, she will vie for the Country Music Association’s prestigious Entertainer of the Year Award, as the category’s youngest ever nominee.

Lifenotes: Music Industry Entrepreneur Shelby Singleton

shel-

Shelby Singleton (L) and Jerry Kennedy (R) in 2000.

Music Row entrepreneur Shelby Singleton died today, October 7, 2009, at age 77. The record executive, producer, and publisher is perhaps best known for purchasing the Sun Records catalog in 1969.

The Texas native was a Mercury regional sales rep when the label brought him to town as part of its Nashville team. He ended up heading the label’s Nashville and New York A&R departments a year later, working with all genres and even bringing r&b folks like Clyde McPhatter to Music City to record. During Singleton’s Mercury tenure, he worked with artists George Jones and Roger Miller, and hired a then unknown guitarist named Jerry Kennedy, who would eventually be his successor, running the Nashville office.

According to the Encyclopedia of Country Music, Singleton was a “tremendously successful and colorful country A&R man… and one of the Nashville industry’s true characters.” He wore many hats throughout his career. As a producer, Singleton recorded three No. 1 hits in one day at the Quonset Hut: “Walk On By” by Leroy Van Dyke, “Ahab the Arab” by Ray Stevens, and “Wooden Heart” by Joe Dowell.

In 1966 Singleton left Mercury and formed the Shelby Sigleton Corporation with headquarters on Belmont Boulevard. He also opened Plantation Records and released the major hit “Harper Valley P.T.A.” by Jeannie C. Riley, which he produced. After the success of “Harper Valley,” Singleton purchased the Sun masters in 1969 and re-released much of its product by Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins and Elvis, during the 1970s. In 1997 he merged Sun with the Brave Entertainment Corporation.

Lady A Unveil New Album, Celebrate Platinum Debut

Capitol trio Lady Antebellum has announced release information for its sophomore album. Titled Need You Now, the album is scheduled for a January 26, 2010 release. The title track and lead single is the fastest rising of their career, pushing into both the Billboard and MusicRow Top 10 in under 10 weeks.

“This song, and what we’ve finished of the new album so far, is all about passion,” explains guitarist/vocalist Dave Haywood. “There’s a real sense of urgency and fire…almost like a spark has reignited us creatively in the studio…so when we started talking about album titles, Need You Now felt like it summarized our vibe right now perfectly.”

The unveiling of Need You Now’s release date happened on the same day the group’s self-titled debut album was certified Platinum by the RIAA. 18 months after its release, Lady Antebellum also remains in the top 10 on the iTunes Country album sales chart.

“This is just beyond anything we ever could have imagined when we sat down to write our first song together in 2006,” said Hillary Scott. “I wish we could thank every one of the fans personally… that would be the coolest thing in the world for us. Everybody always says they have the best fans in the world, but ‘everybody’ hasn’t met Lady A’s fans…they are truly the best!”

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Capitol Nashville President Mike Dungan surprised Lady A in the studio to announce that the group’s self-titled debut album had been certified Platinum and present the band with plaques. Pictured (L-R): Producer Paul Worley, Charles Kelley, Producer Victoria Shaw, Hillary Scott, Dave Haywood and Dungan.

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CMA Songwriters Series Returns To New York

(L-R) DiPiero, Alexander, Randall, Sanders

(L-R) DiPiero, Alexander, Randall, Sanders

The CMA Songwriters Series will return to New York City’s Joe’s Pub on Nov. 5, after successful shows in Los Angeles and Chicago. The concert will once again be hosted by hit tunesmith Bob DiPiero and will feature songwriters such as Jessi Alexander (“The Climb” recorded by Miley Cyrus, “Baby Don’t You Let Go” recorded by Trisha Yearwood, and “Lonely Enough” recorded by Little Big Town), Jon Randall (“Whiskey Lullaby” recorded by Brad Paisley and Alison Krauss, “She’s So California” recorded by Gary Allan, and “Smile” recorded by Lonestar), and Mark Sanders (“I Hope You Dance” recorded by Lee Ann Womack, “It Matters to Me” recorded by Faith Hill, and “This Ain’t No Thinkin’ Thing” recorded by Trace Adkins).

Tickets are $25 www.joespub.com.

Sony Musical Chairs

Lauren-(L.T.)-ThomasSony’s revolving door has Lauren (L.T.) Thomas replacing Kates Rogers as Arista Nashville’s new National Promotions Coordinator. Thomas joins the label on Mon., Oct. 12. Her most recent job was Associate Director of Promotion for Golden Music Nashville, and her background also includes a five-year stint as Promotions Manager for KMLE Phoenix. Rogers exited on Fri., Oct. 2.

Pat Green and Keith Anderson are no longer signed to Sony. Green was on the BNA imprint and Anderson was part of the Columbia roster. Also, Caitlin & Will, who were picked up by Columbia following their win of CMT’s Can You Duet, are no longer a duo.