June 2012 - AristoMedia

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Vol. 5, Issue No. 2
June 2012
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Promoting the World of Country Music Around the Globe
2012 Global Events Showcase 21 International Acts During CMA Music
Festival Week in Nashville
This year’s Global
Events showcases,
held June 4-5 on
Nashville’s famed
Lower Broad, featured
21 talented Country
artists representing
five territories from
around the globe.
Now in its ninth year,
the popular showcases
help kick off CMA Music Festival and give a select handful of
international artists a unique chance to be a part of the world’s
greatest Country music event.
With fans lining the
street in anticipation,
the C M A G l o b a l
Artist Party kicked
things off Monday
night at The Stage on
Broadway. Fans were
treated to more than
five hours of music
and performances
from Bob Corbett (Australia), Emerson Drive (Canada,
pictured below), Morgan Evans (Australia), Vickie Evans
(New Zealand), Adam Harvey (Australia), High Valley
(Canada), Craig Morrison (Australia), Jess Moskaluke
(Canada), O’Shea (Australia), Gary Quinn (UK) and Joe
Robinson (Australia). Unable to perform was Ireland’s Lisa
McHugh, who was forced to withdraw due to emergency
back surgery. McHugh’s duet partner, iconic American singer
Gene Watson stepped in and delivered a surprise set in her
absence, however.
Australian artist Craig
Morrison (pictured
opposite right) closed
out the evening with a
special post-show
performance.
“This year’s CMA
Global Artist Party was
absolutely packed, and we were actually having to turn people
away at the beginning of the night,” says AristoMedia
President/CEO Jeff Walker. “Every year we see a bigger
turnout for these shows.”
The Aristo Global
Show was held
Tuesday afternoon,
June
5,
at
downtown honky
tonk, The Second
Fiddle. Hosted by
Australian artist
Adam Harvey, the
showcase featured
ten global Country acts: Baylou (Australia), Rick Caballo
(Australia), Adam Gregory (Canada), Colm Kirwan
(Ireland), Josh Macumber (Canada), Clayton Bellamy
(Canada), Pete Kennedy (Ireland), Travellin Rose (UK),
Raintown (UK) and Jessica Ridley (Canada, pictured below).
For the second year in a row, both
Global Events showcases were
streamed live online so fans around
the world could watch their
hometown artists perform in
Nashville. CMAworld.com, CMT.ca,
CountryMusicChannel.com.au,
DreamWest-tv.fr, HighwayFM.com,
and AristoWorks.com were among
the sites broadcasting the shows.
“One of CMA’s missions is to help
spread Country music around the
globe,” said CMA Chief Executive
Officer Steve Moore, who welcomed fans at Monday night’s
CMA Global Artist Party. “We are always excited to see
international Country music performers grow and develop in
their own countries and then visit Nashville to build their
relationships with both the fans and the industry.”
Event sponsors included
Chevrolet, CMA,
Billboard, MusicRow,
The Stage on Broadway,
The Second Fiddle,
Prevost, AristoWorks, and
Aristo P.R. Performers in
past years include David
Bradley, George Canyon,
Troy Cassar-Daley,
Tommy Emmanuel, The McClymonts, Jasmine Rae, Johnny
Reid and Doc Walker, among others.
Drop us a line at global@aristomedia.com | © 2012 The AristoMedia Group - All Rights Reserved
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Promoting the World of Country Music Around the Globe
Carrie Underwood “Blows Away” Fans
in UK, Australia
Saskatoon Hosts Country Music Week,
CCMA Awards Sept. 6-9
In support of her latest release,
Blown Away, U.S. superstar
Carrie Underwood headed
overseas this summer to perform
in Australia and the UK. The
singer’s June 21 show at
London’s legendary Royal Albert
Hall (pictured left) sold out in a
mere 90 minutes. Commenting
on the genre’s growing popularity
outside the U.S., the former
American Idol winner said, “I
think there are so many [Country
artists] who have been visiting
more and bringing more of our
music here. Right now is an
exciting time because there are so
many different kinds of Country
artists. There’s something for everybody.” Underwood’s
tour also finds her returning to Australia, where she plays
shows in Melbourne, Tamworth, Brisbane and Sydney. She
then travels back home for an extended run of dates in the
U.S. and Canada this fall. (photo credit: Brian Rasic)
The Canadian Country Music Association is bringing its
annual Country music conference to Saskatoon,
Saskatchewan this fall, culminating in a nationally televised
awards show on Sunday, Sept. 9. A stellar lineup of talent
has already been confirmed for the event, including
Canadian artists Paul Brandt, Dean Brody, George
Canyon, Johnny Reid and Deric Rutan. Eric Church,
Miranda Lambert and The Pistol Annies are also
scheduled to appear, with more artists to be announced
soon. The 2012 Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame
inductees are artist Johnny Burke (“Wild Honey”) and
songwriter, publisher and producer Ralph Murphy.
PotashCorp Country Music Week includes something for
both fans and industry, with seminars, round table
discussions, panels, networking opportunities, live
performances and the CCMA Awards. Sept. 6-9. Visit
www.CCMA.org for more info and register here.
“Big Daddy” Lance James Proudly Waves
Country Music Flag in South Africa
Singer, entertainer, actor and
broadcaster “Big Daddy” Lance
James has been carrying the
Country music torch in South Africa
for more than a half century now.
In addition to releasing more than
80 albums and DVDs, James first
began his Country music career as a
radio broadcaster in 1954.
He
became a household name and
popular personality for his “Keep It
Country” radio show, which aired in
South Africa on Springbok Radio
from 1976-1985.
The show is
broadcast today on Johannesburg’s “Radio Today.”
James is also a founding member of the “Country Legends”
group and frequently tours with fellow South African
Country artist Barbara Ray. He has performed all over the
world, including shows in England, Ireland, Spain, Germany
and the U.S. Visit LanceJames.co.za for more info.
Brad Paisley Receives CMA
International Artist Achievement Award
Before his performance at this
year’s CMA Music Festival, Brad
Paisley was surprised with a CMA
International Artist Achievement
Award. Since 2000, Paisley has
performed in Canada, Europe and
Japan. In 2010, he played London
for the first time and staged two
sold-out shows at the Shepherd’s
Bush Empire. He returned in 2011
to play London’s O2 Arena, as well
as three sold-out shows in Ireland
and four shows in Scandinavia. In
November, Paisley and tour
openers The Band Perry will play shows in Sweden and
Norway as part of the Virtual Reality World Tour.
Drop us a line at global@aristomedia.com | © 2012 The AristoMedia Group - All Rights Reserved
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Promoting the World of Country Music Around the Globe
Lady A’s Own The Night Tour Selling Out
in Australia, Multiple Shows Added
Grammy Award-winning
trio Lady Antebellum has
sold out the initial leg of its
Australian Own The Night
2012 World Tour dates and
has added additional shows
to meet demand. Having
already sold out three nights
in Melbourne, Brisbane and
Sydney, the group quickly
booked two more shows at Sydney’s revered Opera House.
The last time Lady A played in Australia was in 2011 as a
guest on Keith Urban’s Get Closer world tour. The trio
earned standing ovations after each performance.
The group heads to the UK in July, then a run of European
dates before arriving in Melbourne (Sept. 25), Brisbane (Sept.
28) and Sydney (Oct. 1-3). Lady Antebellum has now sold
more than 900,000 tickets for their Own The Night world tour.
“We can't wait for our first big headlining tour,” said Lady
A’s Hillary Scott. “We hope to create a once-in-a-lifetime
concert experience and make some really special memories
with our fans.”
Global Flash Drive Company Makes
Country Music Push
Aderra Media Works
Ltd. is breaking into the
Country music market with
a unique line of custom
flash drives and digital
content. Already recognized as an international leader in the
content delivery business, the global company is now
targeting Country music artists and record labels in an effort
to raise awareness about a new revenue stream opportunity.
The fully customizable USB drives can house digital content
such as concert footage and recordings, exclusive behind-thescenes video footage, unreleased tracks, or even an entire
catalog of albums.
Aderra has created drives for a diverse roster of artists and
clients, including The Beatles, Bob Dylan, Willie Nelson,
Lady Gaga, Coldplay, Tony Bennett, Paul Simon, Bon
Jovi, Zac Brown Band, Stone Roses, Louis Vuitton, the
City of Memphis, David Guetta, Deadmau5, Juanes and
dozens more.
Co-founded in 2012 after Aderra Media
Technologies joined forces with flash drive design pioneers
Record Memory, the company maintains offices in Nashville,
Los Angeles, London, Paris, Melbourne and Tokyo. For more
information, visit AderraMediaWorks.com.
Drop us a line at global@aristomedia.com | © 2012 The AristoMedia Group - All Rights Reserved
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Promoting the World of Country Music Around the Globe
Aristo Q&A with: Americana Music Association Executive Director Jed Hilly
The Americana Music Association’s
Executive Director Jed Hilly weighs
in on the growing popularity of the
Americana format in this edition of
the Aristo Q&A. The 2012 AMA
Conference will be held Sept. 12-15
in Nashville, Tenn. For more info,
visit AmericanaMusic.org.
The popularity of “Americana”
music here in the U.S. seems to have
exploded in recent years. What do
you attribute that to?
JH: I am not sure it’s an explosion, but certainly something is
happening that’s great for the genre and community. I think
the surge in popularity has a lot to do with artists and music
lovers wanting to get back to making and experiencing music
from the heart – an Americana artist writes to tell a story,
through song, in the best way they can - not to sell a million
units, or have a No. 1 hit or sell out Madison Square Garden.
Americana artists tend to approach songwriting as a craft; the
music comes first and that’s striking a chord with fans.
Do you think the name “Americana” is ever viewed as a
negative or as an obstacle of sorts when it comes to growing
the genre on a worldwide scale?
JH: I certainly think that’s a valid question. Sadly, our
reputation in the last decade as a nation has taken a pretty
huge hit. But, I think that this only heightens the importance
of Americana today. The bottom line on what Americana
means is that which is intrinsically American. To me, it’s
what’s great about America, and what better vehicle to share
the message than to promote a genre of music that, by and
large, has a homegrown or pure feeling to it, based in a sense
of history and integrity that stands the test of time?
Many artists overseas make music that would be considered
“Country” in their territory, but “Americana” or “Roots”
music here in the U.S. Do you think those artists are aware of
the distinction between the two when they come to America to
build their career?
JH: It depends on the territory you are talking about. It’s
been a challenge to translate the message overseas (which we
have been successful delivering here in the States). However, I
see the changes taking place every day with artists like Robert
Plant, Elvis Costello, Kasey Chambers and others who are
getting it. International attendance is growing at our fall event
and I think folks abroad are starting to see that focusing in on
the Americana market is a smart move.
Are the annual Americana awards, held at the historic Ryman
Auditorium, currently broadcast in any fashion outside the
U.S.? Are there any immediate plans to make the awards
available in other territories?
JH: The awards are radio broadcast through multiple channels:
BBC2, Voice of America and on the web via NPR.org and
WSMonline.com. As far as TV goes, we have entered into
discussions and are very close to making that happen soon.
Tours by mainstream U.S. Country artists have become
increasingly popular overseas in the last several years. What
is your perception about the health of the Americana touring
industry internationally? Is there anything you see the
mainstream Country industry doing that could be applied to
boosting visibility for Americana artists overseas?
JH: I think the Americana touring industry is enormously
successful. Part of what’s so cool about this genre is that
Americana acts blend in with other genre acts more fluidly
than some others can. Robert Plant or Lucinda Williams can
fit perfectly on a Rock or Blues stage; the Avetts or Mumford
can draw virtually any stage of any multi-genre fete. And
Mary Gauthier just came off her most successful club tour
ever. Americana is thriving in live venues, but we aren’t
marketed the same way as other genre acts often are.
What advice would you give an artist in say, New Zealand,
that makes “Americana music” and wanted to get his/her
material heard in the States?
JH: The reality of the music business is connections, but the
fan base is growing at such a speed I can’t even gauge it.
Today’s marketplace has to be driven with a diverse plan.
You can’t just put all your eggs in a radio basket, or an
internet basket, or a publicity basket… in the end, the advice I
give all artists trying to break through is to be true to yourself,
work hard and be prepared to travel!
Australia has brought dozens of artists to Nashville for the
AMA conferences. What Australian acts have stood out to
you, and are there any plans for the AMA to officially
establish itself in Australia?
JH: We’ve had many acts from Australia the last few years,
and it’s been really exciting. This year is extra special for us
with Kasey Chambers and Shane Nicholson attending. They
are truly in the pantheon of great Americana acts - they are
Artists, which goes beyond the borders of nations. There are
several great supporters of the community Down Under - I see
that growing, and who knows, maybe we'll have an AMA
outpost some day soon!
Drop us a line at global@aristomedia.com | © 2012 The AristoMedia Group - All Rights Reserved
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Promoting the World of Country Music Around the Globe
๏ New Zealand artist,
promoter and entrepreneur
Gray Bartlett joined
artists Eddie Low,
Brendan Dugan and Jodi
Vaughan earlier this year
on the True Legends New
Zealand Tour. Bartlett
stopped by the
AristoMedia offices during
a recent U.S. visit. Pictured with AristoMedia President/
CEO Jeff Walker (l) and producer Mark Moffatt (r).
๏ Speaking of legends,
Canadian born artist
Marlee Scott met one of
Country music’s true
icons, Glen Campbell,
prior to the CMA Music
Festival’s eighth annual
official kickoff parade.
Campbell served as the
parade’s Grand Marshal,
and Scott was one of this year’s participating artists.
Campbell is scheduled to play a run of shows in New
Zealand and Australia in August.
๏ Country Gold
festival organizer and
Country artist Charlie
Nagatani traveled to
Nashville in May for
his 22nd performance
on the Grand Ole Opry.
Pictured L to R at the
Opry Backstage Grill:
Becky Hobbs, Toshiko Nagatani, artist Amber Hayes,
Charlie Nagatani, artist Ray Scott.
๏ 2012 CMC Oz
Artist of the Year
Jasmine Rae was in
Nashville recently to
do some recording
with producer Mark
Moffatt for her next
album. The charttopping Aussie artist
stopped in at the AristoMedia offices to visit. Pictured L to
R: AristoMedia publicist Ryan Moore, AristoMedia
President/CEO Jeff Walker, Rae and Moffatt.
Festival News & Notes
๏ Gene Watson, George Hamilton IV & V and
Confederate Railroad are just a few of the acts confirmed
for the Americana International Festival July 5-9 in
Nottinghamshire.
๏ Vince Gill is scheduled to perform July 11 at Sam Eydes
Place in Arendal, Norway and July 14 at the Norsk Country
Treff Festival in Breim, Norway.
๏ France’s Craponne Festival (July 27-29) features The
Steeldrivers, Bruce Robison and Kelly Willis, John
Slaughter, Whiskey Myers, Two Tons of Steel, Amber
Digby and Ronnie Bowman, among others.
๏ The inaugural Boots and Hearts Music Festival will take
place Aug. 10-13 in Bowmanville, Ontario. Projected to be
Canada’s largest Country music festival to date, the event
boasts major star power with Carrie Underwood, Tim
McGraw, Alabama, Kid Rock, Lionel Richie, Sheryl
Crow and more.
๏ Martina McBride, Craig Campbell, Paul Young &
Los Pacamino and Tinkabell will perform at the 24th
Gstaad Festival Sept. 21-22 in Switzerland.
๏ The 28th Country Gold Festival takes place Oct. 28 in
Kumamoto, Japan and will feature performances from
Rick Trevino, Dale Watson, Georgette Jones and
Charlie Nagatani, among others.
๏ Emmylou Harris will visit Australia for shows Nov.
6-16 in support of her latest release, Hard Bargain.
๏ Country music legend Don Williams came out of a
lengthy retirement to tour in support of his new album, And
So It Goes. Williams logged shows in 15 different cities in
the UK and Ireland in April/May. Irish artist Colm Kirwan
opened for Williams on his dates in Ireland.
The Aristo International Report is a
quarterly newsletter published online
by The AristoMedia Group, P.O. Box
22765 Nashville, TN, 37202.
Publisher: Jeff Walker
Editor: Ryan Moore
Please submit your international Country music news items
for consideration to: global@aristomedia.com
Drop us a line at global@aristomedia.com | © 2012 The AristoMedia Group - All Rights Reserved
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Vol. 5, Issue No. 2
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June 2012
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Promoting the World of Country Music Around the Globe
2012 Global Events Photo Gallery
Australian guitar virtuoso Joe Robinson at the
CMA Global Artist Party, Monday, June 4
UK duo Raintown at the Aristo Global Show,
Tuesday, June 5
Canada’s High Valley performs at the CMA
Global Artist Party, Monday, June 4
Adam Gregory (l) and Adam Harvey at the
Aristo Global Show, Tuesday, June 5
Husband and wife duo O’Shea hosted and
performed at the CMA Global Artist Party
Australian duo Baylou perform at the Aristo
Global Show, Tuesday, June 5
Photos: Bev Moser, Moments by Moser
Drop us a line at global@aristomedia.com | © 2012 The AristoMedia Group - All Rights Reserved