ACM Sales Bump the Lucky Few 1 ACM Sales Bump the by David M

Home , Ella Washington, Giddy On Up, Laura Bell Bundy, She Called Me Baby, Up on the Ridge, Verlon Thompson

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.

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Laura Bell Bundy performed “Giddy On Up” in the first 30 minute ACM segment.

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.

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.

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. Strait’s string of 82 Top 10 hits started in 1981 when his longtime label MCA Records released his first hit “Unwound.” Ray Stevens’ career as an instrumentalist, producer and arranger With almost 69 million in album sales, George Strait was spotlighted on Saturday (4/24) as part of the Country Music Hall Strait has the most No. 1 singles of any artist of Fame® and Museum’s quarterly series, Nashville Cats: A Celebration in history, with 57 to-date, including all charts. of Music City Musicians.(L-R): guitarist Ray Edenton, Stevens, Country Music Hall of Fame member Gordon Stoker (Jordanaires), and program host Bill Lloyd. Photo: Donn Jones Harlan Howard Hits In 6 Decades The renowned, late songwriter Harlan Howard has had a hit in each of the last six decades. His wife Melanie tells MusicRow that a song he wrote in the early ‘60s called “She Called Me Baby” is being used in a new Triple A hit by British band One Eskimo. The group Harlan Howard sampled Candi Staton’s R&B recording of the song for its new single, “Kandi.” Among others who have recorded the song are Patsy Cline, Waylon Jennings, Ella Washington, Charlie Rich, and Harlan himself.

Bluewater Music Celebrates 25 Years Music publishing and administration One Tree Hill star Jana Kramer made her Nashville singing debut at company Bluewater 3rd & Lindsley on April 14. Kramer has appeared in films including Friday Night Lights and Prom Night, as well as television shows Music is marking its 25th anniversary this year. Since Grey’s Anatomy, 90210, and Entourage. (L-R): Kramer’s fiancé opening, Bluewater has worked with such talented Jonathan Schaech, BMI’s Jody Williams, Kramer, and BMI’s Leslie songwriters as David Lynn Jones, Al Anderson, Chris Roberts. Photo: Drew Maynard Knight, Kim Richey, Jim Lauderdale and Fred

CMT Radio Live's Cody Alan was presented Jimmy Wayne is currently featured on Trisha Yearwood made an appearance on with his ACM Award for National On-Air Ladies Home Journal’s popular website, the Cooking Stage at the 15th Annual Los Personality of the Year on April 17 by where he is praised for his Meet Me Angeles Times Festival of Books on April Miranda Lambert at a private reception in Halfway initiative. (http://bit.ly/91KvkD) 25th in support of her book Home Cooking Las Vegas. with Trisha Yearwood.

Eaglesmith. Brownlee Ferguson is currently President of with Darrell Scott, “Candles in the Rain (Childless Mothers),” Bluewater Music. will be on Scott’s upcoming album, A Crooked Road, (May 25). To celebrate the milestone, Bluewater is sponsoring a • Nashville Artist Management, the firm representing Collin Raye, music showcase series, which kicks off tonight (4/28) with an has new contact information. Dave Fowler can be reached at 615-889-7027, or [email protected]. “Evening with Eddie Schwartz,” award-winning songwriter Jonathan Fowler at [email protected]. behind Pat Benatar's "Hit Me With Your Best Shot,” and • Jo-El Sonnier has teamed with 3 Notch Records for an songs recorded by The Doobie Brothers, Donna Summer upcoming CD/DVD set. 3 Notch Records can be reached at and more. The 6PM show at 12th & Porter opens with special 615-837-8545. guests, Angel Snow featuring Viktor Krauss. • Promoter Marcel Bach and talent buyer, Trisha Walker- Cunningham have announced the line-up for the 22nd Gstaad Festival, Switzerland, Sept. 10-11. Included this year News Tidbits are Patty Loveless, Miranda Lambert, Craig Morgan • Miranda Lambert will appear on the Mother’s Day (5/9) and Swiss act George Hug. episode of ABC’s Extreme Makeover: Home Edition. She will volunteer and perform her current single, “House That Built Me.” • Nashville native Ashlyne Huff is prepping the May 11 release of her self-titled debut through Liquid Digital Media. The pop/rock songstress is daughter of producer Dann Huff and plays Rocketown on May 7. • Miley Cyrus’s latest Can't Be Tamed will be released June 22 on Hollywood Records. Grammy Award-winner John Shanks produced. • RCA recording artist Chris Young and longtime Charlie Daniels manager David Corlew have been named to the Stars For Stripes Board of Directors for one-year terms. • Jmmy Wayne’s “Meet Me Halfway” walk has inspired Ann Wilson Music Group to start the "Music Row Drive" collecting items for the kids at Monroe Harding. See the wish list at www.monroeharding.org. Drop off or mail items Last Friday (4/23) BMI hosted the kick-off party celebrating the 37th Annual Music City to AWMG Entertainment, 20 Music Sq. W., Ste. Tennis Invitational, the only fundraiser for the Center for Child Development at Monroe 100, Nashville, TN 37203. Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt. Nashville Mayor Karl Dean honored MCTI • Singer/songwriter Suzi Ragsdale is celebrating with a proclamation recognizing the tournament’s commitment to the Center and two cuts, as well as the release of her own album. acknowledging the invitational as the longest running music-related charity tennis She has a cut on the upcoming Dierks Bentley tournament in the country. (L-R): BMI’s Clay Bradley; MCTI co-chair Phran Galante; album, Up on the Ridge, (June 8 via Capitol Dr. Tyler Reimschisel, Dir. Center for Child Development; Mayor Dean; Anne Davis; Nashville). She co-wrote the song, “Bad Angel,” MCTI co-chair Bill Riddle; BMI’s Patsy Wells; and MCTI’s Richard Falken. Photo: with Verlon Thompson. And another song written Alan Mayor