Country ARTISTS & MUSIC

ASHTON SWITCHES OVER TO COUNTRY WITH CAPITOL DEAL (Continued from page 40) Ashton has also sung background temporary Christian artist on your ally, this will be supporting four COUNTRY vocals on albums by Brooks, Mc- radio station, reaction is usually pos- things -CMT, country radio, plus Bride, and Patty Loveless. "My fans itive, provided the music is good, and Susan's and Steve's records." have been writing me for several in this case the music is good." Quigley says Capitol will spend years wanting me to make a coun- Quigley says he plans a market- $400,000 on television ads in those try record," she says. "But I didn't ing campaign that will combine select markets. The ads will be CORNEO want to do it just to do it." radio, TV, and retail. Ashton and tagged to let consumers know to She credits Sparrow Records pres- Steve Wariner will be featured on look for the product in Musicland, by Wade Jessen ident Peter York with urging her to CMT's "CMT All Access" program Wal-Mart, and other retail outlets. make the transition. "He said, `You're the last week of April, and it will be "The packaging for Susan's CD is G ETTIN' CHICKIE WITH IT: Double Grammy winners Dixie not going to be happy until you make taped in Nashville. Quigley says going to be very unusual," says Chicks and Shania Twain take the biggest post-show gains on Top a country record,' and it kind of sur- Capitol plans to buy ads on major Quigley. "Magazines have always done Country Albums, as "Wide Open Spaces" (Monument) and "Come On prised me," she says. "But that's when network TV programs like the a great job of letting people know what Over" (Mercury) tighten their grips at Nos. l and 2, respectively, while I started to seriously explore it." "Today" show and "The Rosie was on the inside by their covers. Twain's set blasts back into the top 10 on The Billboard 200 (see She knew manager Bob Doyle O'Donnell Show" to tell viewers Susan's will be the first record with a Between the Bullets, page 116). from her association with Brooks. which stations are playing her magazine-type cover to let consumers Dixie Chicks, winners of trophies for best country album and best She decided to test the waters by music and how to win a trip to the know more about what's inside." country performance by a duo or group, parlay those honors into a 19% asking him if she could sing demos taping of "All Access." EMI Christian Music Group's gain with "Wide Open Spaces," which scans more than 115,000 units, up for his publishing company. "I "We're making a consumer con- (EMI CMG) Chordant Distribution approximately 19,000. Since bowing at No. 17 with 7,500 pieces on Top thought we could just see how peo- test out of listening to certain sta- will take the new album to the Country Albums in the Feb. 14, 1998, issue, "Wide Open Spaces" expe- ple respond to it," she says. "The tions," he says, "with a flyaway con- Christian market. Sparrow is under rienced peak sales of 272,000 during Christmas week. response was overwhelming." test attached to it." Quigley says he the EMI CMG umbrella. Bob Doyle & On Hot Country Singles & Tracks, "You Were Mine," the fourth sin- After Quigley heard her demo of plans to involve 33 radio stations in Ashton is managed by gle from "Wide Open Spaces," rises 4-1, up 386 plays. It is the third "Commitment" (later a LeAnn 25 markets. "This is a way to help Associates and is booked by the William consecutive chart -topper from the award - winning set. Rimes hit), he was struck by the our friends in radio," he says. "Actu- Morris Agency. Her publisher is EMI. Twain's performance of "Man! I Feel Like A Woman!" on the show, quality of her voice and its emotion. coupled with wins for best female country vocal performance and best "I said, `We've got to get that voice country song, push "Come On Over" up 41% with Greatest Gainer hon- on this label,' " Quigley recalls. with JULIE REEVES ors on Top Country Albums with an increase of more than 31,000 units. She met him and signed (Continued from page 40) That hefty gain shoots the album 12 -7 on the big chart. Capitol Nashville last June and "Man! I Feel Like A Woman!," the seventh single from "Come On began work on the album with pro- "Then, we had a soiree for radio people as we can. We'll look at some and Over," re- enters Hot Country Singles & Tracks at No. 53 with 306 plays. ducer Emory Gordy Jr. in New York City and had Julie do areas in marketing, to schools The song previously had but one week on the chart, reaching No. 70 in Ashton says she's happy with the an acoustic set with a three -piece to younger audiences, and open up the Nov 15, 1997, Billboard, based upon unsolicited album play. This album. "I'm an emotional person," band, and we debuted the video. some eyes to Julie." time, spins are detected at 40 monitored country stations. says Ashton. "I want something that Now we're setting her up for CRS With marketing, he says, the makes me want to roll down the win- [Country Radio Seminar]. The cam- racks are a first priority. "We'll do it regionally, first of all, with as many TATER -EATIN' COUNTRY BOYS: Nominated in four Grammy cate- dows, hang my head out, and scream paign isn't a huge blitz -just a lot of gories, Vince Gill took trophies for best male country vocal performance along with the song, or if it's a ballad small things, a lot of impressions." listening campaigns as we can. And with "If You Ever Have Forever In Mind," which he performed during I want it to get inside me. I wanted The title -track single is at No. 63 some positioning campaigns. I'm the telecast, and he shared the honors for best country instrumental per- to record songs that affect me that on the Hot Country Singles & taking a look at the strong country formance with Randy Scruggs for the venerable old -time fiddle tune "A way and hopefully would have that Tracks chart. Mike Hammond, markets, and we'll advertise around be on. Soldier's Joy," found on Scruggs' 1998 set "Crown Of Jewels" (Reprise). impact on other people." operations manager at WIVK the Alan Jackson tour she'll Gill's "The Key" (MCA Nashville) rises 15-7 on Top Country Albums The songs chosen represent some Knoxville, says he was struck I'm treating this as a long -term, and takes our percentage -based Pacesetter award with a 60% increase. of Music Row's top songwriters, immediately, first by Reeves' voice rest -of-1999 project." That set scans more than 14,000 units, up more than 5,000. Two of Gill's among them Marcus Hummon, and secondly by the song. "The Reeves' manager, Christy Di- older perennials, "When Love Finds You" and "Souvenirs," take jumps Matraca Berg, Neil Thrasher, and thing that sold me on her was her Napoli, says he's optimistic. "She's I've signed in on Top Country Catalog Albums, rising 14-5 and 12-7 respectively. Each Kim Richey. Greg Swedberg, oper- voice," he says. "It's unique and dis- only the fourth artist of those sets scans approximately 3,000 units. ations manager at KEEY Min- tinctive. And, the song is different. 16 years," he says. "I think she's On the radio, Gill's shuffle -beat single "Don't Come Cryin' To Me" neapolis, is supporting "Faith Of I liked it immediately, which seldom fantastic. She's going to go out for gains 253 plays to rise 33-30 on Hot Country Singles & Tracks with air- The Heart" and says the rest of the happens." seven or eight dates on Alan Jack- play at 148 of our 162 stations. album he has heard is also strong. New Virgin Nashville executive son's tour. He's giving new artists a "I've heard a lot of the music, and VP/GM Van Fletcher says the label chance, which is wonderful. Then, SMOKEY MOUNTAIN CROONER: With 10,000 scans, Knoxville, it's quality stuff," he says. will carefully build Reeves' career. we'll see how the single does. a deal Tenn., native Kenny Chesney inks his first No. 1 on Top Country Sin- He doesn't anticipate Ashton hav- "That's what you want to do with a "We just signed booking gles Sales as "How Forever Feels" (BNA) rises 2-1 on that list. Con- ing trouble crossing from the Chris- new artist who's young and doesn't with CAA [Creative Artists Agen- currently, Chesney's song sees the issue's fattest gain on Hot Country tian to the country market. "I use a have a touring base," he says. "But cy] yesterday, so we're off and run- con- Singles & Tracks, up 710 plays. Watch for Chesney's new "Everywhere little history to guide me here. I was the base that she does have is a ning," DiNapoli adds. "I'm We Go" album to bow on the country chart next issue. in top 40 when Amy Grant crossed pretty damned good voice. We'll be vinced this is going to be the year of over," he says. "When you play a con- spreading the music out to as many the new artists. You can feel it."

Plow, COUNTRY SINGLES A -Z right Management, BMI) CLMAVBM 73 ONE OF YOU (Songs Of Poytram Int'I, BMVSeven Angels, 50 WHAT ABOUT YOU (WB, ASCA?/Platinum Int'I, BMVTorry Toliven, BMI) 45 I WAS (EMI Blackwood, BMUFybridge, BMVEMI April, BMVLaudersongs, BMVMighty Nice, BMVBluewater, BM)) ASCAP/Songs Of PoyGram PUBLISHERS /PERFORMANCE RIGHTS /SHEET MUSIC ASCAP/Phil Vassar, ASCAP) HL 13 ORDINARY UFE (McSpadden- Smith, BMVNtagnolia Hill, HLAYBM YOU SAY TO THAT (Laudersorgs, BMI/Mighty 47 I WILL BE THERE FOR YOU (Starshuck Angel, BMVDead ASCAP) 65 WHAT DO MIND (0 -Tex, BMVBIind Sparrow, BMVAcuff- Nice, BMVBIue Water, BMVCaroljac, BMVCMI, BMI) Music Dist. Solid Perfect, BMUWamer-Tamerlane, BMVHellmaymen, 74 PEACE OF TITLE (Publisher - Licensing Org.) Sheet BMI/Baby BMVSony/ATV Tree, BMUWenonga, BMI) H!/WBM Rose, BMI) 55 WHATEVER YOU SAY (Hamstein Cumberland, 14 KEEPIN' UP (Maypop, BMUWildcounby, BMVRoute Sà. 9 POWERFUL THING (Mighty Nice, BMVAndersongs, Mae, BMVNew Haven, BMVMusic Hill, BMI) 69 ALWAYS NEVER THE SAME (Warner- Tamerlane, 18 GONE CRAZY (WB, ASCAP/Yee Haw, ASCAP) WBM BMI) WBM BMVMCA, ASCAP/Fire Feather, ASCAP) HL 43 WHATS THE MATTER WITH YOU BABY (Almo, ASCAP) BMVGolden Wheat BMUSony /AN Tree, BMU 24 HANDS OF A WORKING MIN (Wamer-Tamedane, 58 LETS START LIVIN' (Dreaming In Public, SOCAN/South 56 SATURDAY NIGHT (Wacissa River, BMVlrving, BMVMissy, WBM 22 ANYONE ELSE (FbyGram International, ASCAP/St Julien, BMVSngar Bend, BM!) WBM BMI) WBM 32 WHEN MAMA AIN'T HAPPY (EMI Blackwood, BMVy 72 HAPPY EVER AFTER (Sony/ATV Cross Keys, ASCAP/Four Beach, ASCAP) ASCAP) HL BMVSontanner, BMVQuantum, 60 UFE GOES ON (Island Bound, ASCAP/Famous, ASCAP) 42 SAY ANYTHING (Mike Curb, BMUCurbsongs, ASCAP) Land, BMVCareers-BMG, 62 BABY AIN'T ROCKING ME RIGHT (Glitterhsh, BMVMusic Sons, ASCAP) HL WBM BMI) HL 31 HILLBILLY SHOES (Sbdeen Stars, BMI) HL HL Corp. Of America, BMVIJamstein Cumberland, BMVBaby April, ASCAP/Plaid Paisley, 49 UTTL.E GOOD -BYES (Without Anna, ASCAP/Magnelia Hill, 46 SHE'S ALWAYS RIGHT (Sorry /ATV Tree, BMVSufter In 54 WHO NEEDS PICTURES (EMI Mae, BMI) 7 HOLD ON TO ME (Reynsong BMUBayou Boy, BMI) HL Silence, BMVCareers-BMG, BMVMusic Hill, BMVHope -N- ASCAP/Cattle Call, ASCAP/Sea Gayle, ASCAP) HL TO ME)OCO (Mike Curb, BMVRose Blue, AS CAP/Rushing Water, ASCAP/Colonel Rebel, 67 8/ALIGHT (Wamer - Tamerlane, BMD WBM 61 HORSE Tree, ASCAP/Kerrhncky Thunder, ASCAPACG, ASCAP/Sony/ATV Cal, BMVFwe Cowboys, BMVCa) N, BM() HL 16 WISH YOU WERE HERE (Acuff-Rose, BMVSary /ATV 36 BETTER MM (Sorry/ATV Tree, BMVGary Nicholson, BMVMillhouse, BMVSongs Of Polytram Intl, BMB 66 SINGLE WHITE FEMALE (Blakernore Avenue, BMVMr. Bubba, BMVBetton Uncle, BMI) HUWBM HLAVBM Tree, BMVTnerd Breen, BM!) HL ASCAP/MRBI, ASCAP) HL WITH YOU (WB, ASCAPBreamin Upstream, ASCAP/Big 17 LOVE AUNT UKE THAT (LaLuna, BMVEMI Blackwood, ASCAP/Windswept Pacific, ASCAP/EMI Blackwood, 39 3 BUSY MAN (BMG, ASCAP/Sierra Home, ASCAP/Zomba, 5 HOW FOREVER FEELS (Warner-Tamerlane, BMVNew BMVMark Alan Springer, BMI) HL BMVMark Alan Springer, BM)) Red Tractor, ASCAP) WBM HLAVBM Works, BMVWB, ASCAP) WBM BMVTeren It Up, BM!) Tamer- 57 WRITE THIS DOWN (Neon Sky, ASCAPArving BMUCelter 53 MAN! I FEEL LIKE A WOMAN! (Songs Of PblyGram Intl, 19 SOMEBODY'S OUT THERE WATCHING (Warner- GET ENOUGH (Reynsong BMVKenWcky Gid, 12 I CANT GET OVER YOU (Sony /ATV Tree, BMVShowbily, 21 CANT lane, BMVPuckalesia, BMVNomad- Noman, BMVFranne Bay, BM)) BMVWamer-Tamerlane, BMUConstant Pressure, BMI) BMVloon Echo, BMVZomba, ASCAP) WBM BMVBayou Boy, BMUCareers-BMG, BMVA Hard Day's Working Fa The Man, BMVDyad, 41 MAYBE NOT TONIGHT (Smash Vegas, BMVBig Picture, Golde, BMI/Windswept Pacific, BMI) WBM 25 WRONG AGAIN (Still Write, BMI) HL HIA BM BMVNovember One Songs, BMVH Dreams Had Wings, 64 SOMETHIN"BOUT A SUNDAY (Umo, ASCAP/Daddy Rab- BMI) HL CRYING TO ME (Ninny Mae, BMI/English- 2 I DON'T WANT TO MISS A THING (Realsongs, ASCAP) 30 DON'T COME bit, ASCAP/EMI Blackwood, BMVy Land, BMI) 33 WRONG NIGHT (Warner- Tamerane, BMVHellmaymen, WBM BMI) town, BMI) WBM BMI) WBM BMVStarstruck Angel, BM/Dead Solid Perfect BMI) BMVToke- 8 MEANWHILE (J. Fred IGabbch, ASCAP/Wayse ng 10 STAND BESIDE ME ( Harnstein Cumberland, 20 DRIVE ME WILD (Travelin' Zoo, ASCAP/Myrt & Chuck's 44 IF A MAN ANSWERS (Songs Of Polytram IM'I, ASCAP) 48 STRANGER IN MY MIRROR (Acuff-Rose, BMVSony/ATV HLY BM co Tunes, BMVWacissa River, BMUMRBI, BMI) HL ASCAPA-ebmn, ASCAP/Ingram, , ASCAP/Cal N, ASCAP/Cooter Moe, ASCAP) NEED ME NOW Slackened, BMI) WBM 59 A NIGHT TO REMEMBER (Curb, ASCAPAGnebc Diamond Cross Keys, ASCAP/Kim Williams, ASCAP) HL 34 YOU DONT ASCAP/Sierra Home, 11 I'LL THINK OF A REASON LATER ( Hamstein Cumberland, 29 EVVERYI1MEE I CRY (BMG, DON'T IMPRESS ME MUCH (Songs Of PolyGram 38 YOUR OWN LITTLE CORNER OF MY HEART (EMI April, Blackwood, BMVy Land, BMI) II, ASCAP/Rob'N Riley, ASCAP/Sag Of Peer, 15 THAT ASCAP,Wamer- Tamerlane, BMI) HL/WBM BMV8aby Mae, BMVEMI ASCAP) HLNBM ASCAP/Gramiy, ASCAP) Intl, BMVLoon Echo, BMVZomba, ASCAP) HL/WBM AS CAP/Waite Time, ASCAP/Rick Hall, FAITH OF THE HEART (Realsongs, ASCAP/MCA, ASCAP) HLAMBM 52 68 THERE GOES THE NEIGHBORHOOD (Music Corp_ Of 37 YOU STILL SHAKE ME (EMI Blackwood, BMVSong Island, -Tamerlane, BMI) 71 NO EASY GOODBYE (Mike Curb, BMV hat's A Smash, HUWBM 15 I LOOK AT YOU (Wamer Valley, ASCAP) HL BMVSounds Of Boudreaux, BMI) America, BMVPembo, BMI) HL BMVMission FLY (THE ANGEL SONG) (Golden Phoenix, SOCAN/l aya- 26 I'M LEAVING (0 -Tex, BMVBIind Sparrow, BMVSony /AW 23 35 IWO TEARDROPS (Mr. Bubba, BMUSony /AN Tree, 1 YOU WERE MINE (Wooly Pudder , BMVBug BMI) HL Keys, ASCAP/T(im Williams, ASCAP/MCA. ASCAP) 40 NO MORE LOOKING OVER MY SHOULDER (Warner- songs, SOCAN/Rory Backe. BMD WBM Cross LONELY (Sony Tree, BMVMo Tamerlane, BMVAAmo, ASCAP/Daddy Rabbit ASCAP) BMVSteve Wanner, BMI) HUWBM 28 YOU WONT EVER BE /AN SESAC/Family Style, HL 21 FOR A UTTLE WHILE (Magnahnne, (Mighty Nice, BMVAI Andersongs, Fuzzy Dice. ASCAP/Famous, ASCAP) HL Creek, WBM 6 UNBELIEVABLE SESAC/Glacier Park. SESAC/Moraine, SESAC/Malaco. 63 ITS ABOUT TIME (MCA, ASCAP/Soda 4 NO PLACE THAT FAR (Sony /AN Tree, BMVWene nga, BMUWindswept Pacific, BMI/My Life's Work, BMI) Vassar, ASCAP) HL ASCAP/Careers -BMG, BMVMusic Hill, BMI) HL BMI/EMI Atad, ASCAP/Phil HL/WBM For Gold. BMVCopy- BMVHamstein Cumberland, BMI) HUWBM 70 FREE ME (Rick Hall, ASCAP) 51 If S YOUR SONG (Gooby, BMVPan 42 BILLBOARD MARCH 13. 1999 www.americanradiohistory.com