page 1 Wednesday,Wednesday, SeptemberSeptember 2, 20092009 Industry Needs Genre Specific Track Charts by David M. Ross According to Nielsen SoundScan, a "Nielsen SoundScan would do all of division of The Nielsen Company, an us an enormous favor if they would average of more than 20 million digital break out country music into its own tracks are purchased every week in the chart," says President/CEO Capitol U.S. This year all genre digital track sales Records Nashville Mike Dungan. are up year-to-date 12.2%. Does anybody Several weeks ago MusicRow spoke think this format is going away? And yet, with Billboard Sr. Chart Manager Wade the industry is still without digital tracks Jessen to discuss BB's new weekly charts broken out by format, in a similar Country Update which debuted Aug. 10. fashion to the existing album charts. At that time Jessen said the new product "We've asked for would contain a that chart," says Sony country digital tracks Music Chairman Joe chart breakout. (On Galante. "We want July 29 Country and need that Update tweeted a information." link to the MusicRow When Nielsen article.) Three weeks Entertainment's after the MusicRow Chris Muratone article ran, and spoke to the CMA coincidentally Board on Feb. 18, immediately after Joe Galante 2009, this writer Wade Jessen sending a question asked him, "When about Jessen's will we see digital tracks by genre genre chart remarks to a more senior breakouts?" Muratone acknowledged SoundScan exec., I got a quick email from Nielsen SoundScan was aware it was Jessen stating he had been misquoted, something that people wanted, but was and "The digital chart(s) and an airplay/ vague about implementation. The missing digital hybrid chart are all being considered charts seem somewhat mysterious given as expansion projects (new features) for that SoundScan already collects all the Billboard Country Update. At no time were data, and breaks the artists out by genre we planning to make those charts available for its album charts. SoundScan is the only on launch week (August 10)." [hmmm] company that collects the sales data from "It seems like a layup," says physical and digital merchants nationwide. President/CEO Big Machine/Valory Music/ Is there really a Republic Nashville technological issue Scott Borchetta. holding up the "iTunes [already] creation of these has genre charts track breakouts, or is that are accessible it merely the reaction to anyone who has of a monopoly being downloaded the lax in addressing iTunes browser. the concerns of the Remove the oldies industry that it and recurrents and serves? the chart is right Mike Dungan Scott Borchetta ©2009, MusicRow Communications, LLC—ALL RIGHTS RESERVED [email protected] page 2 Wednesday, September 2, 2009 there 24/7. We look at SoundScan dpd DMA’s every week. Create the report already…" "This is something we’ve wanted for some time now, and I hope to see it in the near future," says Ken Robold, Exec. VP/GM UMG Nashville. Using SoundScan's own tracks data and pulling out the country tracks manually, it seems certain the format is selling over one million Ken Robold tracks per week. When considered as TEA albums (track equivalent albums where 10 trks= 1 album) that is 100,000+ Bryan White dropped by ASCAP with copies of his new CD on Just a Pup Records. (L-R):Keithan Melton, Creative Dir. Wide Open Music Group; ASCAP's Connie albums additional per week. Country's Top 75 Bradley; White; ASCAP's Pat Rolfe; and Derek George, Pres. Wide Open Music Group. Current Albums chart compiled by SoundScan usually contains a total of 400-500,000 units, so we are talking about an increase of perhaps 20-25% every week that is not being well documented. Industry sales veteran and owner of Spielberg Consulting, Neal Spielberg, gets the last word with this straightforward quote, "It is essential that SoundScan introduce a current and comprehensive country tracks chart. As digital music purchases in country music grow exponentially, it is important to not only chart the superstars, but the up and comers alike. Its time has come, and the information BMI’s back to school blowout resulted in a packed house for its 8 off 8thshowcase at is there. SoundScan is a Mercy Lounge on August 24. The lineup featured some of Nashville’s best up-and- Neal Spielberg service organization/ coming songwriters including Team Illuminati, Andrew Belle, The Silver Seas, The company. Service the Jane Shermans, Space Capone, Madi Diaz, Jeremy Lister and The Rustlanders. country music community as you do in (L-R) back: BMI’s Beth Mason, Lister, BMI’s Jody Williams, Aaron Winters of Space albums." Capone and BMI’s Mark Mason. Front: BMI’s Leslie Roberts, Erin McCarley, Kristen What about it Nielsen SoundScan? Dabbs and Trent Dabbs. Photo: Drew Maynard ©2009, MusicRow Communications, LLC—ALL RIGHTS RESERVED [email protected] page 3 Wednesday, September 2, 2009 19 Recordings/RCA Inks Idol’s Darrell Brown/Kobalt Gokey Sign Admin Deal American Idol finalist Danny Gokey Songwriter Darrell Brown, was a big favorite on season eight, the most with writing credits on a multitude of recent season of the show. He finished in hits by Keith Urban and others, has the Top 3, and Gokey’s legion of fans will signed an exclusive administration be excited to know that he has signed a deal with Kobalt Music Group. The recording contract with 19 Recordings/ announcement was made today (9/2) RCA Records Nashville. by Willard Ahdritz, CEO and A 29-year-old native of Milwaukee, Founder of Kobalt. Through the Wisconsin, Gokey is currently on the deal, Kobalt will represent Brown’s American Idols Live! Tour 2009, and will Grey Ink Music catalogue plus futures LeAnn Rimes and Darrell Brown cowrote Rimes' soon be at work on his debut album, for most of the world. The company "What I Cannot Change." releasing next year. will also provide synchronization services for motion pictures, TV, advertising, games, ringtones, Internet and other mediums. Brown has worked with artists including Neil Young, Faith Hill, Brooks and Dunn, Dolly Parton, Wilson Phillips, Trace Adkins, Michael McDonald, and more. He co-wrote Urban's Grammy winning, massive radio hit "You'll Think of Me" and earned three ASCAP Awards for it. He also penned "Raining on Sunday" and numerous other songs for Urban’s last three albums. Brown has upcoming cuts with Bon Jovi, Jack Ingram, and Josh Turner’s single, “Why Don’t We Just Dance.” He also produced and co-wrote a significant part of Radney Foster’s new release, Revival. Play MPE Coming To iPhone Destiny Media, the company behind Play MPE, has plans to release an application for the iPhone or iPod Touch. The Play MPE system allows labels to distribute new pre-release music to trusted recipients including radio, music reviewers, VIPs, DJs, buyers, etc. securely through the Internet before it is made available for sale. Its new player application was submitted for inclusion in the Apple App store on May 9 and approval is expected imminently. ©2009, MusicRow Communications, LLC—ALL RIGHTS RESERVED [email protected] page 4 Wednesday, September 2, 2009 Biz Leaders Look To Help TJ Martell of charge to eligible applicants. Those wishing to take advantage of this service must be able to document their The T.J. Martell Foundation launched its Business Leaders work in the music industry for at least five years or have Council on Friday, Aug. 28 with a luncheon at The Hutton credited contribution to six commercially released recordings Hotel. Co-sponsored by Blue Hat Records and Keaton Music or videos (singles). To schedule an appointment, contact Ventures, Charlie Daniels is Honorary Chairman of the Council. MusiCares at 615-327-0050 or via email at The Business Leaders Council is Co-Chaired by David Corlew, [email protected]. President of Blue Hat Records and Danielle Lares-Bouharoun, Sr. VP, Sr. Relationship Manager and Manager of Entertainment Group at Wachovia Wealth Management. During the luncheon Tidbits a large group of local business leaders discussed the Martell • The ASCAP "I Create Music" EXPO will return for the fifth Foundation's relationship with the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer year in a row to the Renaissance Hollywood Hotel in Los Center and learned of ways their companies can help the Angeles April 22-24, 2010. Discounted registration will be Foundation’s fight against cancer. announced by email and Twitter in late October. • MySpace Records has signed country artist KJ Testin to a demo deal. • Alturas Productions artist Jaime Thietten has signed an exclusive management agreement with Robert Morrison, President of Chart Noise. She has six releases under her belt and a video airing on Gospel Music Television. • Mississippi natives Randy Neely and Whitni Johnson have signed with ABET International, Inc. in Nashville. (L-R): Lisa Bush, Hutton Hotel; Chris Keaton, Keaton Music Ventures; Charlie Daniels, Honorary Co-Chairman of the T.J. Martell Foundation's Business Leaders Council; Danielle Lares-Bouharoun, Wachovia; and David Corlew, Blue Hat Records. CMT On Tour Adds To Schedule Longtime friends and now co-headliners Jamey Johnson and Randy Houser have announced additional cities as part of their upcoming CMT On Tour 09: Jamey Johnson and Randy Houser. The outing is produced by AEG Live and the new dates are part of a 30 city run that includes stops in Kansas City, St. Louis, Cincinnati and Indianapolis. This is the eighth annual tour presented by CMT. SESAC has signed singer/songwriter Carla Williamsfor representation. The Lofton Creek Records artist is currently working with producers More Artists Set For CCMA Awards Milton Brown and Steve Dorffon her debut CD.