Futurehit.DNA How the Digital Revolution Is Changing Top 10 Songs by Jay Frank Published by Futurehit, Inc
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page 1 Friday, October 30, 2009 Book Review by David M. Ross Futurehit.DNA How The Digital Revolution Is Changing Top 10 Songs by Jay Frank Published by Futurehit, Inc. ©2009 Jay Frank, currently SVP of Music Strategy for CMT has sat in a number of musical gatekeeper chairs and always been somewhat outspoken, especially about the interaction between music and technology. So industry observers should not feign shock to see him don the scribe cap and set about inking his thoughts. Jay Frank Considering the author's digital expertise, it is not surprising that the book has its own website with complete details about where to purchase, social networking accounts and even a free first chapter. http://www.futurehitdna.com. The premise of Futurehit.dna is that by carefully monitoring consumer behavior and the technology surrounding the music, one can improve the odds that new music will be discovered and be successful. "Musicians are generally looking for a balance between art and commerce," Frank writes, "and for that this book becomes an important guide." However, he wisely warns, "Implementing these points will do you no good unless the underlying talent and quality is already there." Those looking for a quick, easy read and a fast solution are likely to be disappointed. The author's zeal for thorough explanations creates an ambitious study rich in historical details. Frank's intro begins with songs sung around a ©2009, MusicRow Communications, LLC—ALL RIGHTS RESERVED [email protected] page 2 Friday, October 30, 2009 campfire (no technology) and works his way through a Versions Of Hit Songs." "Most people care more about the century of innovation and the changes it imposed upon song than who is doing the singing," Frank writes. "Before popular music—and that is accomplished in just the first recorded music, classical and popular music's fame 30 pages! centered on songs and composers instead of the artist. Frank highlights the concept of zero (from the In the '70s, cover versions began to lose favor. As the beginning of the song) and non-zero airplay dictated by singer-songwriter growth coincided with the expansion various music delivery systems such as vinyl with its of the album format, artists had little incentive to cover easily distinguished grooves between each song to other songs." Now, years later the author notes, "The cassettes where finding the beginning of a song was new digital era of music consumption is rapidly changing difficult. He carries the discussion into MP3 players, where the attitude of cover versions. The increasingly distracted the norm is zero airplay and then talks about streaming audience is easily the biggest reason to go in this direction. music online and the importance of the "skip" command. The distractions that music listeners experience for all Publishers are sure to love Chapter 12 entitled, "Cover forms of entertainment constantly make it hard for them to retain familiarity on any song." Additional advice offerings are reflected with chapter titles such as, "Increase Chord Changes," "Release More Songs More Often," "Repeat Within A Song," and "Create The Need To Share Songs." The treatise ends with some perspective and sage advice. "A word to the wise: Do not try everything in this book," Frank urges in the Coda. "Instead...adapt the techniques as they fit any individual song. To succeed you must find a way into your audience's life." Futurehit.DNA may not be able to guarantee readers a top 10, hit-laden career, but it is loaded ASCAP recently hosted a No. 1 party for Kenny Chesney's "Out Last Night," co-written by Chesney and with thought-provoking Brett James and produced by Buddy Cannon. (L-R): Morris Management Group Exec. VP Clint Higham, ingredients that, properly Dale Morris & Associates Pres. Dale Morris, Cannon, Chesney, James, Sony ATV Pres./CEO Troy Tomlinson, used, could help tweak an ASCAP Sr. VP Connie Bradley, and Stage Three Music GM Tim Hunze. Photo: Ed Rode artist's recipe for success. ©2009, MusicRow Communications, LLC—ALL RIGHTS RESERVED [email protected] page 3 Friday, October 30, 2009 ZBB Line Up Stars For Benefit The Zac Brown Band’s benefit to help rebuild the Georgia Theatre following a fire will rock the Fox Theatre in Atlanta tonight (10/30). Among those on tap to support the beloved Athens, Ga. establishment are Kid Rock, Kellie Pickler, Little Big Town, Joey and Rory, Shawn Mullins, Oliver Wood, Angie Arista Nashville’s Brad Paisley performed in Jacksonville, FL recently and is Aparo and Aslyn. The evening's performances currently rockin’ radio with his latest single, “Welcome to the Future,” from his will be recorded for DVD by director Darren American Saturday Night album. (L-R): Fitzgerald Hartley’s Bill Simmons; Sony Music Doane. It will be available in spring 2010 and Nashville’s Butch Waugh and Paul Barnabee; CMT’s Laurissa Ryan; Sony Music all concertgoers will receive a free copy. There Nashville’s Joe Galante; Paisley; iTunes’ Jay Liepis; and Sony Music Nashville’s will also be an auction of autographed items to Heather McBee, Skip Bishop and Jim Catino. Photo: Ben Enos benefit the Georgia Theatre fund, including guitars signed by Kenny Chesney, Dave Matthews, and John Mayer, a fiddle autographed by Charlie Daniels, boots signed by Darius Rucker, and concert packages from Widespread Panic, Colt Ford and more. The show is presented by Outback Concerts, and tickets are still available via Ticketmaster. Chesney’s Radio Station Hits iTunes No Shoes Radio, the online station culled from Kenny Chesney’s iPod playlist is now available The T.J. Martell Foundation recently surprised the Creative Artists Agency staff with for streaming via iTunes Dunkin' Donuts and coffee as a reward for leading the Music Industry Challenge in Radio. It is under the support of the upcoming 2nd annual Dunkin' Donuts Family Fun Run & Walk-A-Thon Reggae/Island options. to be held Nov. 7 at Centennial Park. The foundation set forth a challenge to see The station, based at which music industry company could form the largest team for the 5K race and raise www.noshoesradio.com, the most funds. To date, CAA has the largest team. To register your team log on to offers live shows, acoustic www.funrunandwalk.com and click on the Active.com icon. Earlybird registration is jams, surprise artist appearances and tracks only $25 before Nov. 5. ©2009, MusicRow Communications, LLC—ALL RIGHTS RESERVED [email protected] page 4 Friday, October 30, 2009 ranging from Dave Matthews to Willie Nelson to Bob Marley. Chesney and Matthews will perform their song “I'm Alive” together on the CMA Awards on Nov. 11. Underwood Release Next Week Carrie Underwood’s new album, Play On, will be out Nov. 3 on 19 Recordings/Arista Nashville. Helmed by producer Mark Bright, the first single, “Cowboy Casanova,” is the fastest rising hit of the year at country radio and exploded with first-week digital sales of 110,236. She will perform on The Late Lyric Street recording artist Bucky Covington was at the Memphis Show with David Letterman (11/2), Motorsports Park on Oct. 24 for the NASCAR Nationwide Series Kroger sing in Lincoln Center on Good On Track For The Cure 250. Following the race, Covington headlined Morning America (11/3) and appear on Live with Regis and the Comcast Concert Series Post-Race show and treated the crowd Kelly (11/5). Underwood is also preparing for her performance to a set from his sophomore album, I'm Alright, to be released in and co-hosting duties at the 43rd Annual CMA Awards, live spring 2010. (L-R): Miss Tennessee Stefanie Wittler and Covington. from Nashville’s Sommet Center on ABC, Nov. 11. She will host a five-day special feature on Sirius XM’s “The Highway” channel surrounding the release and will guest DJ on street day, and even take listener calls. Underwood will also feature in CMT’s Invitation Only series. Her performance was taped earlier this year in Nashville and airs Tues., Dec. 1. Black River Artists Set For Short Run Black River Music Group’s Jeff Bates, Sarah Darling and Emma Jacob are embarking on the first-ever BRMG Concert Series Tour. Singer-songwriter Rick Ferrell (“Something Like That,” “Where Would You Be”) will be joining them for the five-stop run. The first leg begins Nov. 2 in Alexandria, La. and each show will be affiliated with a local radio station and a charitable initiative. Anthony Smith played for a hometown crowd at Cotton Eyed Joe's in Knoxville on Oct. 22. (L-R): WIVK-Knoxville PD Mike Hammond, Smith and Stroudavarious Records' Bill Macky. Lenny Kravitz played Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium Oct. 26. (L-R): Ali Harnell,Sr. VP AEG Live/The Messina Group; Kravitz; and Sally Williams, GM Ryman Auditorium. ©2009, MusicRow Communications, LLC—ALL RIGHTS RESERVED [email protected] page 5 Friday, October 30, 2009 BNA Records artist Craig Morgan recently performed for KCYY's New country artist David St. Romain visited Columbus's WCOL "Up Close & Personal" series in San Antonio. (L-R): PD Randy Chase, morning show on location in London, OH Oct. 10. (L-R): WCOL's Cowboy Kenny Bartram (X Games Star), Morgan andBNA Promotion Dan E. Zuko, St. Romain and Woody (lipstick on David's forehead Rep Mark Janese. courtesy of Granny Zuko) Emma Jacob’s album 2,322 has just been released on segment highlighting 1979. iTunes and features her new single “Julianna.” Next month He is also the latest performer added to the Nov. 19 Darling will release her second single titled “Whenever It Les Paul Memorial Tribute being put on by Gibson Guitar.