page 1 Wednesday,Wednesday, AprilApril 28,28, 20102010 Table of Contents ACM Sales Bump The Lucky Few 1 ACM Sales Bump The by David M. Ross Lucky Few Einstein's theory of relativity may have coincidentally), 18% is also the precise 4 Chesney Flick Faring Well been misinterpreted all these years. Perhaps result generated by carefully prescribing to 4 Grammy Block Party May 11 it's really about shows such as last week's SoundScan math. (Can we say Nobel prize for 4 Melissa Peterman In New CMT Scripted Series Academy of Country Music Awards. In this econometric sales model?—ok maybe not...) 4 Industry Milestones case, E=MC2 may mean that the the Energy ACM's high energy three hour show of Sales generated by the show will equal grabbed pretty strong ratings, off slightly Respect Intellectual Property: the Music quality times the index of Consumer from last year, about 6%. That was perhaps MusicRow transmissions in email and file form plus online passwords, are Confidence. due to strong competition from the other intended for the sole use of active subscribers only and protected under According to my Einsteinian calculations networks, including some country-themed the copyright laws of the United States. country should score an 18% weekly sales programming deliberately aimed at snagging Resending or sharing of such intellectual property to unauthorized individuals increase compared with the previous week. away viewers. The Awards, however peaked and/or groups is expressly forbidden. Strangely enough (some might groan with 14 million viewers at 9 p.m. MusicRow Publications, Inc. reserves the right to cancel, without refund, the account of any subscriber found to be in violation of this policy. Music Row Communications, LLC 1231 17th Ave. S., Nashville, TN 37212 615-321-3617 www.musicrow.com News/Press Releases [email protected] Advertising [email protected] Row Fax Listings [email protected] Subscriptions/Information [email protected] Laura Bell Bundy performed “Giddy On Up” in the first 30 minute ACM segment. ©2010, MusicRow Communications, LLC—ALL RIGHTS RESERVED [email protected] page 2 Wednesday, April 28, 2010 ©2010, MusicRow Communications, LLC—ALL RIGHTS RESERVED [email protected] page 3 Wednesday, April 28, 2010 For some time, Nielsen SoundScan followers have observed that sales increases are not enjoyed evenly across the board by all artists. Certain acts reap the lion's share of the bounty, and this year's ACM sales bump continued that trend. Only the top 10 titles on the Current Country 75 scanned over 10k product. Here's a summary of how they fared: Lady Antebellum Crazy Heart Sdtrk (No. 1, +27%, +17.5k unit) (No. 6, +200%, +11.5k unit) Zac Brown Band Taylor Swift (No. 2, +26%, +6k unit) (No. 7, +1%, flat) Miranda Lambert Colt Ford (No. 3, +105%, +13k unit) (No. 8, debut 14.5k) Willie Nelson Laura Bell Bundy (No. 4, debut 18k) (No. 9, -9%, -1.5k) Carrie Underwood Alan Jackson (No. 5, +54%, +6k unit) (No. 10, -33%, -5.5k) The above list separates along the following lines. The New movie Flicka 2 was screened in Nashville last night (4/27) at the two debuts, Willie and Colt were likely helped by robust Belcourt Theatre. The film, directed by Michael Damian (Moondance Alexander), a continuation of the popular 2006 Flicka that starred Tim post-ACM traffic, but were not part of the telecast and McGraw, features country legend Clint Black. (L-R): Emily Tennant therefore not directly effected. Colt Ford also had a free (Amy), Black, “Flicka” stand-in, Damian and Reilly Dolman (Jake.) chicken promotion with Zaxbys that gave him a leg up... Photo: Alan Mayor Lady Antebellum, Miranda Lambert, the Crazy Heart soundtrack, Zac Brown Band and Carrie Underwood were the big unit increase winners (in that order.) All were part of the broadcast in some way. Gains for Laura Bell sales were also off as her top ranking track "Today Was A Bundy, featured prominently in the first ACM half hour, are Fairytale" rode down the Country Digital Tracks list to No. 7 harder to gauge since it was the second week for her new with a drop of 18%. CD which normally would be expected to plummet 50-65%. A few shout-outs are in order for ACM performers Instead it dropped only 9% which means her performance outside the Top Ten, but who received encouraging sales definitely helped. Alan Jackson, didn't appear at the show, reactions; Brad Paisley (36%), Luke Bryan (49%), and suffered this week as consumer's attention was directed Gloriana (36%) and Joey + Rory (117%). to the bright lights on the silver screen. Somewhat confusing is Taylor Swift's 1% increase. Digital Only This marks the first time we have seen a flat response from Of note are digital only releases from The Band her fans after an elaborate TV performance. Indeed, her CD Perry (wk 3, 1,600) up 225% due to strong iTunes banner is now mature at 76 weeks and has already sold a whopping support for the CD and single; and Whitney Duncan (debut 5.8 million copies. However, ZBB's CD (RTD sales 1.85 1,800) who performed at MusicRow's CRS CountryBreakout™ million) is 75 weeks and jumped 26%. Swift's digital track meet and greet last month. ©2010, MusicRow Communications, LLC—ALL RIGHTS RESERVED [email protected] page 4 Wednesday, April 28, 2010 ©2010, MusicRow Communications, LLC—ALL RIGHTS RESERVED [email protected] page 5 Wednesday, April 28, 2010 Industry News Melissa Peterman In New by Sarah Skates CMT Scripted Series Melissa Peterman, who got her Chesney Flick Faring Well start on Reba and just inked a comedy Kenny Chesney: Summer in 3D deal with Big Machine Records, will star is seeing box office success. Despite in a new CMT sitcom called Working a limited release exclusively in 3D Class, to be written and executive theatres, the film’s opening night produced by Jill Cargeman (Gary screenings made it the No. 7 movie Unmarried) and produced by Peterman in the nation, and it grossed just and her manager Darris Hatch. Melissa Peterman over 1 million dollars in its first four An exclusive on LA industry blog days. Many theaters also added Deadline Hollywood last week reported late showings and midnight movies CMT also has three other family comedies over the weekend. in the works, including The Hard Life, So far, the flick is ranking among the top 3D music movies The 30 Percent and another which is being finalized. of all time, right behind the Rolling Stones and U2, whose movies were in theaters for extended runs. Chesney’s Summer In 3D is slated for only one more week in the theater. Chesney hosted the film’s premiere in Las Vegas while his celeb and industry pals were in town for the ACM Awards. Morgan Freeman, Matthew McConaughey, Reba, Tim McGraw & Faith Hill, Dierks Bentley and Jewel were all in attendance. Grammy Block Party May 11 The 12th annual Grammy Block Party and Membership Celebration is set for Tues. May 11 at Owen Bradley Park. The fun starts at 4 PM with performances by Darius Rucker, Dailey & Vincent, Steel Magnolia, Plumb, Trombone Shorty, and Orleans Avenue. Recording Academy members can attend for free, and bring a guest for $20. Mercury’s Jamey Johnson made a special delivery to UMG Chairman Luke Lewis last week (4/21). His just-completed album arrived at the UMG office by armored car Staff and volunteers will be on-site signing complete with security detail. (L-R): John Scott Williams, TW Cargile, Ken Levitan, up new members who will get in free after Bruce Shindler, Wayd Battle, Rowdy Cope, Sally Green, Royce Risser, Katie Dean, joining. RSVP to 615-327-8020 or Kevin “Swine” Grantt, Lewis, Johnson, Arlis Albritton, Brian Wright, Rachel Winston, [email protected]. Damon Moberly, “Sheriff,” Allen Mitchell and “Cowboy” Eddie Long. ©2010, MusicRow Communications, LLC—ALL RIGHTS RESERVED [email protected] page 6 Wednesday, April 28, 2010 Career longevity in the music business is certainly worthy of celebration. MusicRow salutes those who recently reached milestones. AristoMedia Turns 30 Jeff Walker founded The AristoMedia Group in April of 1980, and this month the company is celebrating its 30th year in business. Since opening, AristoMedia has witnessed and survived the invention of the compact disc, the debut of the internet, and the digital download revolution. The Nashville-based company started as a PR firm, and evolved to a multi-faceted media, marketing and promotion Sea Gayle/Arista Nashville recording artist Jerrod Niemann performed at house with a half-dozen specialized departments. These Saturday's (4/24) Music City Marathon post-race event at Bridgestone Arena. (L-R): Rob Beckham, William Morris Endeavor; Laura McKinley, Mgr. Arista divisions include Aristo P.R. (publicity and PR), AristoVideo Development, SMN; Bill Simmons, Fitzgerald-Hartley Mgmt.; Tom Baldrica, VP (video promotion and marketing), AristoWorks (new media), Mktg. SMN; Niemann; Heather McBee, VP SMN;Joe Schuld, mgmt.; and Lesly AristoVision (Christian video promotion), Marco Promotions Tyson, Dir. Natl. Promotion, Arista Nashville. (secondary radio promotion) and Marco Club Connection (dance venue marketing). Walker also operates a domestic and international consulting business, digital label GMV Nashville, and his latest offering, the video content and EPK distribution service DownCast. It is worth noting that Senior VP of Promotion and Marketing, Craig Bann, has been with the business more than 20 years. 30 Years of Strait Hits George Strait’s recent single “I Gotta Get To You” makes him the first artist in the history of the Billboard charts to have 30 consecutive years of Top 10 hits.