Pop Country Buoys Genre Stats

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Pop Country Buoys Genre Stats by Sarah Skates Country is faring Focusing on this week’s better than the music numbers from Nielsen industry as a whole as we SoundScan, a division of enter the last month of The Nielsen Company, the third quarter. Digital Country debuts were led by sales continue to grow, perennial hit compilation and Country has seen a series Now That’s What I tiny bump in marketshare Call Country Vol. 2 (33K) over last year, up 1.5% to and new Carolwood trio 11.9%. This could all be Love and Theft (13K, attributed to a blurred 22% digital). Other Country Pop/Country line with debuts included Willie recordings by Taylor Swift Nelson (12K), Jack (1.6 million YTD) and Ingram (9K), and Cross Miley Cyrus/Hannah Canadian Ragweed who Montana (1.4 million), slipped onto the chart a who lead all-genre album week early with almost sales for the year and are 1000 units. By comparison, also top Country sellers, pop songstress Colbie according to Nielsen Caillat strummed her way SoundScan, a division of to the top of the all-genre The Nielsen Company. heap with scans totaling Year to date, all genre 106K. A Wal-Mart exclusive sales are down 15% but Country sales from Miley Cyrus sold 62K, though Digital are only down 2.6%. Downloads remain Music News reports it came out on a on the rise with all genre digital album Friday, so it didn’t get a full week’s sales. sales up 18% year over year, and Country The top 5 Country albums YTD belong album downloads exploding with a 52% to Swift and Cyrus, as stated above; gain YTD. Currently, digital albums account followed by Rascal Flatts (950K); Zac for 11.6% of total Country album sales, Brown Band (698K) and Jason Aldean up from 7.4% last year. (559K).

This list of artists directly correlates with the top Country Americana Conference Digital Tracks for the week: Cyrus “Party In The U.S.A.” (190K this wk/628K total); Swift “You Belong With Me” Sets Panel Details (73K/1.7 million); Aldean “Big Green Tractor” (47K/530K); With the Americana Music Festival ZBB “Toes” (37K/275K) and Cyrus again “The Climb” and Conference just two weeks away, (35K/2.22 million). panels are being announced and Country stats should get a significant bump between registration rates are still discounted. now and the end of the year with big releases by Brooks Some of the daytime panels include: David vs. Goliath? The & Dunn (9/8), Toby Keith (10/6), Tim McGraw (10/20) Battle Between the Music Industry and the National Association and Carrie Underwood (11/3). Next week’s figures of Broadcasters; A is For Americana: Building the next should get added help from the CMA Music Festival generation of Americana Fans; and Hook Line and Sync-er: special which aired on ABC. Licensing for TV and Film. There will also be a session called The Writer-Publisher Relationship with songwriters Kendell Marvel and Billy Burnette, alongside their respective publishers John Allen (Bug) and Clay Myers (Still Working Music). BMI’s Clay Bradley will moderate. Other educational panels include Americana And the Global Marketplace with moderator Jeff Walker, AristoMedia; and panelists Dobe Newton (Sounds Australia); artists James Intveld and Holly Golightly; producer Mark Moffatt; and Simon Cosyns (The Sun). Americana week will kick off with An Evening of Classical Americana at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center on Sat., Sept. 12. The Nashville Symphony Orchestra will perform alongside Alison Brown, Sam Country duo The Bellamy Brothers appeared with special guests The Bacon Brothers on Bush, Jerry Douglas, Byron House, the Grand Ole Opry Tuesday (9/1).The Bellamys performed "If I Said You Had a Beautiful Body (Would You Hold It Against Me)," then invited the Bacons on stage for their current Buddy Miller, Karen Parks and Abigail single and collaboration, "Guilty of the Crime." The appearance marked the first public Washburn. appearance for the Bacons and the Bellamys together. (L-R): Grand Ole Opry VP/GM Pete Discounted conference registration rates Fisher, Howard Bellamy, Kevin Bacon, Michael Bacon, David Bellamy and Grand Ole Opry are good through 5 PM, Mon., Sept. 14. One Group Pres. Steve Buchanan. Photo credit: Chris Hollo hundred artists are set to appear over four days including Sam Bush, Cross Canadian Ragweed, Rodney Crowell, Justin Townes Earle, Nanci Griffith, Will Hoge, Raul Malo, John Prine, and Marty Stuart. BMI Promotes Darlene Rosado BMI has promoted Darlene Rosado to Senior Director, Corporate Marketing. In her new role, Rosado will be responsible for all media planning and Darlene Rosado buying, as well as research, online analysis and marketing operations. Based Cherry Lane Music Publishing Company, Inc. has signed a multi-year publishing deal with in the New York office, she reports to Mark ASCAP member and Grammy nominated songwriter Steven Dale Jones. In addition to Barron, Assistant Vice President, Corporate nominations from the CMA and ACM, Jones has received seven ASCAP awards, including an Marketing who says she is an “invaluable ASCAP Pop award for the crossover hit “One More Day.” Jones has had songs recorded by George Strait, Alabama, Reba McEntire, Randy Travis, Trace Adkins and more. (L-R): part of the corporate marketing team.” Melissa Martin, Coord. Creative & Mktg. Cherry Lane Music; Steve Weaver; Richard Rosado joined the BMI Media Licensing Stumpf, Sr. VP Creative Services/A&R & Mktg. Cherry Lane Music; Michelle Berlin, Creative department in 1999, and was responsible for Dir. Nashville Cherry Lane Music; Jones; and ASCAP's Herky Williams. national events, broadcaster state show

©2009, MusicRow Communications, LLC—ALL RIGHTS RESERVED [email protected] page 3 Friday, September 4, 2009 sponsorships and customer promotional materials and contests. Prior to joining BMI, she held various positions at MetLife, including Sports Marketing and Blimp Promotions/Advertising Analyst and Strategic Planning/Consultant. Twyman Joins Ride Records Bill “BT” Twyman has joined Ride Records as VP of Sales/Distribution & Marketing. The label was formed in 2008 by singer/songwriter/producer Steve Azar. Twyman previously worked with UMVD (Universal Music & Video Distribution) as Regional Director in the Mid-Atlantic region. He also spent over a decade with PGD (Polygram Group Distribution) Bill Twyman as Sales Manager for the Mid-Central region. Azar's Brad Paisley’s video for “Welcome to the Future” features latest album, Slide On Over Here, marks the second children from all walks of life expressing their dreams for release for Ride Records, which is nationally distributed by Red Eye. the future. The youngsters pictured were winners from Twyman can be reached at bttwyman@yahoo or 240-460-3982. WQMX/Youngstown whose videos were used during Paisley's Cleveland show. (L-R, along with their career wishes): Dominick Mattson-Zehner (ninja), Sarah Staudt (singer Save the GMA and dancer), Paisley, Kaitlynn Mack (work at the Cleveland Due to mounting financial hardships, Zoo w/reptiles), Kayla Hickman (teacher), and Logan the Gospel Music Association is planning Larlham (member of a S.W.A.T. team). Photo: Ben Enos a superstar Save the GMA Benefit Concert, set for Mon., Oct. 12 at the Loveless Barn. On board to help the genre’s leading trade organization are performers Amy Grant, Michael W. Smith, Casting Crowns, MercyMe, The Booth Brothers, and Natalie Grant. Invitations have been sent to select members of the music community. Cost is $1000 per plate, with a fundraising goal of $800,000. Madonna Wraps Record Setting Tour Madonna just wrapped her Sticky & Sweet Tour with a record setting $408 million gross, the highest-ever for a solo artist. The Live Nation outing which started in August 2008, played 85 shows to 3.5 million fans in 32 countries. Overall, the Rolling Stones still claim the highest-grossing Steve Wariner visited the Country Music Hall of Fame® tour of all time. The legendary band’s Bigger Bang and Museum on August 29 for a special performance and trek raked in $558 million. Madonna’s greatest interview honoring legendary guitarist Chet Atkins. Wariner and guitarist John Knowles performed selections hits package Celebration will be out in late from Wariner’s upcoming release, Steve Wariner, c.g.p.: My September under her current Warner Bros. Tribute to Chet Atkins. (L-R):Knowles, Wariner and VP Records deal. She has signed with Live Nation for future releases. Museum Programs Jay Orr. Photo: John Russell

to this roadblock, CMT will present three “Get Schooled” PSAs targeted specifically to the country music audience, featuring Trace Adkins, Jason Michael Carroll, Sheryl Crow, Rascal Flatts, Julianne Hough, Justin Moore and Darius Rucker that will be available online at www.cmtonecountry.com and www.CMT.com, and will air on CMT and CMT Pure. Get Schooled: You Have The Right formally kicks off "Get Schooled," a five-year national initiative co-developed by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and Viacom that creates a platform for corporate and community stakeholders to address the challenges facing America's public schools. Tidbits MCA’s Mallary Hope played for soliders at Ft. Lewis, Washington on • Earlier this week the Nashville Premiere Radio offices Wednesday (9/2). The KMPS/Seattle crew came out for the performance. moved into Clear Channel's Music City headquarters, (Pictured): Hope in the middle, flanked by KMPS’ Tony Thomas and located at 55 Music Square West, Nashville, TN 37203. Becky Brenner, MCA’s Marlene Augustine and other KMPS staffers. • Head to Franklin Sept. 9-13 for a celebrity estate sale extravaganza, including furniture and decorative accessories from Martina McBride, Sheryl Crow and Apple Announcement Spurs Speculation others. www.berenicedenton.com Apple fans and press members alike are offering numerous ideas about what to expect from Apple’s big conference coming Wednesday (9/9). The latest news is that the company will announce ready-made ringtones for the DISClaimer iPhone. cNet says, “Owners of Apple's iPhone have long had by Robert K. Oermann the ability to create custom-made ringtones for their This is quite a mixed bag. devices. The new music snippets are mainly a convenience, Leeann Atherton clocks in with as they make it possible for iPhone owners to obtain a pre- a dreamy blues tune. Rocker cut ringtone instead of having to create their own.” Other Ronnie Godfrey has a Tennessee previously reported on ideas include the announcement of Titans fight song. We have the Cocktail project, a new iPod with camera and the Beatles excellent Nashville songwriter catalog coming to iTunes. albums from Bill Luther and Kent Blazy. And there’s a whole flurry Melanie Denard Regie Hamm Enters Book/Label Deal of newcomers. Among them, Melanie Denard wins our Hit singer/songwriter/producer DisCovery Award. Regie Hamm, the solo writer of the And to add some extra spice huge 16-week No. 1 "Time of My Life" to the eclectic mix, we have the recorded by American Idol winner David son of a country legend with a Cook, has signed a combined book and terrific song to sing. Dion Pride record deal with Tate Publishing and Tate wins Disc of the Day with his Music Group. The Oklahoma based outfit fine message number “We All is distributed nationwide through Gotta Live Here.” Universal and Ingram. An immediate single release to CCM Regie Hamm TOM WURTH/If The Road Dion Pride radio is planned and will be followed by a CD release and Runs Out book detailing Hamm’s story of adopting a Chinese girl and Writer: David Frasier/Bill Luther/Tom Wurth; Producer: the life-changing events surrounding it, including composing none listed; Publisher: none listed; Echelon (track) "Time of My Life." (www.tomwurth.com) With 21 No. 1 songs to his credit as a songwriter, and a —The title tune to Wurth’s CD is a power ballad that Top 20 Adult Contemporary hit as an artist, Hamm is well- showcases his sturdy, warm voice. He cowrote five of the poised for the single release to CCM radio. album’s tunes and chose the rest from such top-drawer names as Rivers Rutherford, Brett James and Sonny CMT Viewers Get Schooled In September LeMaire. Well worth a listen. On Tues., Sept. 8 at 8:00 p.m., ET/PT, CMT will join all of Viacom's U.S. television properties to simultaneously air RONNIE GODFREY & THE ROLL ON TITAN THUNDER Get Schooled: You Have The Right, featuring appearances BAND/Roll On Titan Thunder by The President of the United States Barack Obama, pop Writer: Martha Maria/Dan Gold; Producer: Dan Gold; superstar Kelly Clarkson, and NBA MVP LeBron James. Publisher: Dancing Rabbit/Golden Oak, ASCAP; Dan Gold This 30-minute special highlights education challenges and (615-754-0299) breakthroughs. This is the first programming "roadblock" of —Godfrey was formerly with the Marshall Tucker Band, so any kind across all Viacom networks including BET, MTV, VH1, that explains the gruffness in the vocal. The track is a slab CMT, Comedy Central, Spike TV and Nickelodeon. In addition of rock with thunder sound effects amid the electric guitars

©2009, MusicRow Communications, LLC—ALL RIGHTS RESERVED [email protected] page 5 Friday, September 4, 2009 and pounding percussion. Sample lyric: “Thunder, blood and (www.leeannatherton.com) glory/Run, but you can’t hide/The battle will be gory/And —This former Nashvillian has found her niche in Austin, and mortal men will die....Titans show no mercy/We’re here to it’s in a sultry, country-blues groove. This stately blues kick some butt.” We’ll see. Next week’s opening game is ballad is one of the many standouts on her Heart Traveled versus the Super Bowl champion Steelers. Road CD. Recommended listening.

HOUSTON COUNTY/I Can’t Make It Rain KENT BLAZY/Play Guitar Writer: Adam Hooper/John Milldrum/Dallas Davidson/Ben Writer: Cory Batten/Kent Blazy; Producer: Kent Blazy; Hayslip; Producer: James Stroud; Publisher: Songs of Loud/ Publisher: I Want to Hold Your Songs, BMI; Kent Blazy EMI Blackwood/WB/Get a Load of This/Melissa’s Money, (track) (www.kentblazy.com) BMI/ASCAP; Stroudavarious —The title tune to Kent’s latest CD is a lovely meditation —Attractive, if somewhat bland sounding. He’s pleading on wherein he gets through emotional times by playing his her doorstep, but that’s still not good enough. acoustic guitar. His singing is packed with feeling, and his picking is exceptional. This Nashville songwriting treasure DION PRIDE/We All Gotta Live Here has crafted hits ranging from “Headed for a Heartache” to Writer: Bobby Fisher/Steve Leslie/Lance Miller; Producer: “If Tomorrow Never Comes.” Several of his most powerful Dan Mitchell; Publisher: Anyone’s/Chord Boy/Lance Allan/ can be found on this new collection, since they grew from Morris, ASCAP/BMI/SESAC; Weblast! (615-242-8181) the passing of his wife, Sharon. —Dion is Hall of Famer Charley Pride’s son. He sings with great heart and warmth, and the song has a terrific BILL LUTHER/Scarecrow Dreams message. Count me in. Writer: Bill Luther; Producer: Justin Weaver; Publisher: Universal/Evansville, BMI; Bill Luther DAVID BRADLEY/Soak It Up —The only way you can get a copy of this Nashville Writer: David Bradley/Brady Seals; Producer: Brady Seals; songwriter’s Songs for the Scarecrow CD is if he gives one Publisher: Wrensong/Gypsy Outfit, BMI/ASCAP; Libolli to you. Count yourself lucky if he does. This highly poetic Unlimited (www.davidbradleymusic.com) and upliftingly melodic song is just one of its 10 lustrously —The timing on this seems a little off. It’s a shiny, summer- produced tracks. Bill’s singing is quite soulful and sun single, and we’re heading into football season. expressive, and he has surrounded himself with superb Whatever the case, Bradley sings with verve, and the players (Ilya Toshinsky, Dan Dugmore, Kenny Greenberg “island” production vibe is sprightly. and Joe Chemay among them). Considering that he’s noted for such country gems as “Let it Go,” “Who You’d Be Today,” MELANIE DENARD/Tumblin’ Down “Let’s Make Love,” “Believers” and “My Best Friend,” this Writer: Rodney Clawson/Brian White; Producer: Dan whole project is impressively and ambitiously pop-oriented. Frizsell; Publisher: Writers Extreme/Big Loud Bucks/Warner But check out his duet with Hillary Lindsey on “This Town.” It Tamerlane/BMG/Multisongs/Brentwood Benson, BMI/SESAC; has country smash written all over it. Weblast! (www.weblastonline.com) —She has a very appealing huskiness in her voice, full of J. LEE STEVENS/Right About Now barely suppressed fire. I’ll bet she can really take charge of Writer: Steve Yocum; Producer: Curt Perkins; a stage. Promising, indeed. Publisher: Born & Bred, BMI; Tone Lucky (track) (www.jleestevens.com) LEEANN ATHERTON/Looking For A Rainbow —The track is drowning in echo and reverb. The lyric is Writer: Leeann Atherton; Producer: Rich Brotherton; loaded with regret. The vocal is appropriately mournful. Publisher: Heaven Thunder, BMI; LA (track) Haunting and unsettling.