Global Newsletter Spring 09

Spring 2009

Vol. 2, Issue No. 2 Promoting the World of Country Music Around the Globe

Nashville Welcomes Global Artists

From the Publisher... Greetings from Music City! As you can see, we have a new and expanded format for our International Report. We hope you find it more streamlined and easier-to-read, while still communicating the continued growth of the Country format around the globe. Remember, we are all responsible for the vitality of this great genre. Please feel free to drop us a line and give us your thoughts, feedback and info at [email protected]. We look forward to hearing from you! Best, Jeff Walker

In This Issue: Music City Welcomes International Acts for Global Events and Activities Country Stars Head Overseas, Festivals in Full Swing AristoVideo Status Report Looks at Intl. Opportunities CCMA Awards Move to Vancouver this year Global Photos / Extra Credits

Australia’s ‘Telstra Road to Tamworth’ Winner Among Visitors Sixteen international country artists will convene in Music City June 8-9 to participate in the two premier global events preceding this year’s CMA Music Festival in downtown Nashville, Tenn. The CMA Global Artist Party unofficially jump starts the beginning of the 2009 CMA Music Festival with its annual showcase on Monday, June 8 at 6:15 p.m. The event, hosted by country artist Jace Everett at The Stage on Broadway, will feature Australia’s ‘Telstra Road to Tamworth’ winner, Peter McWhirter, as well as Kirsty Lee Akers (Australia), Colm Kirwan (Ireland), Lucie Silvas (U.K.), Alex J. Robinson (Canada), Ashley Cooper (New Zealand), The McClymonts (Australia) and George Canyon (Canada). The annual AristoMedia Global Showcase will be held the following afternoon at 3 p.m. at popular honkytonk The Second Fiddle. This year’s lineup features another ‘Telstra Road to Tamworth’ star, this year’s Songwriter’s Award winner, Corey Colum. Also performing will be Pierre Lorry (France), Brianie (U.K.), Tore Andersen (Norway), Rolf Fritschi (Switzerland), Dianna Corcoran (Australia), Codie Prevost (Canada)

and David Bradley (U.K.). Former Mavericks bassist and DigitalRodeo.com Director of Industry Relations Robert Reynolds will host the afternoon festivities. Previous performers at the Global Events have included Aussie superstar Troy Cassar-Daley, last year’s Telstra Road to Tamworth winner Jasmine Rae, Adam Gregory, Johnny Reid, Doc Walker, the Road Hammers and Lisa Brokop, among others. The international goodwill continues on Saturday, June 13, when a total of six different Irish acts will entertain crowds at the Sommet Center stage as part of this year’s CMA Music Fest activities. Scheduled to appear are: Philomena Begley, Louise Morrisey, Stephen Smyth, Eamonn McCann, Aidy Quin and Warren Smyth.

The 2008 Global Artist Party at The Stage on Broadway Nashville. Photo: Amanda Eckard / CMA.

Additional 2009 Global Events Sponsors:

Spring 2009

Vol. 2, Issue No. 2 Promoting the World of Country Music Around the Globe

2009 Festivals Athens Country Music Festival, Sept. 12 (Greece) The Grascals Big Valley Jamboree, July 30-Aug. 2 (Canada) Tim McGraw, Gary Allan, Josh Turner, Billy Currington, Jessie Farrell Cavendish Beach Music Festival, July 10-12 (Canada) Tim McGraw, Reba McEntire, Big & Rich, Doc Walker, Tara Oram, The Wilkinsons CMA Music Festival, June 11-14 (USA) Taylor Swift, Brad Paisley, Brooks & Dunn, Trace Adkins, Rascal Flatts, Jamey Johnson Country Gold, Oct. 13 (Japan) Mark Willis, Trent Willmon, Jeff Bates Country Rendez-Vous Festival, July 24-26 (France) Jo Dee Messina, Eric Church, The Flatlanders, Jeff Griffith Country Thunder, July 15-18 (USA) Tim McGraw, Taylor Swift, Alan Jackson, Kellie Pickler, Rodney Atkins, Terri Clark Craven Country Jamboree, July 9-12 (Canada) Taylor Swift, George Strait, Kellie Pickler, Charlie Daniels, Rodney Atkins Dauphin CountryFest, July 2-5 (Canada) Tim McGraw, Jason Aldean, Zac Brown Band, Road Hammers, Doc Walker Gstaad Festival, Sept. 11-12 (Switzerland) Kenny Rogers, Lady Antebellum Gympie Country Music Muster, Aug. 25-30 (Australia) Talent TBA Merritt MountainFest, July 9-12 (Canada) Kenny Chesney, Jo Dee Messina, Emerson Drive, Johnny Reid Mildura Festival, Sept. 25-Oct. 4 (Australia) Amber Lawrence, Carter & Carter, Mitchell Shadlow Sarnia Bayfest, July 17-18 (Canada) Tim McGraw, Brad Paisley, Jason Blaine UTV Country-Fest, Aug. 1-2 (Ireland) Randy Travis, Dwight Yoakam, Martina McBride, Ray Price

Country Superstars Receive Warm Welcome, Awards Overseas One need look no further for proof of the growing international popularity of Country music than to countries like Canada and Australia, which have a flourishing lineup of festivals (see panel at left) and major stars touring in their markets this year. Artists like Brooks & Dunn, Dierks Bentley and Taylor Swift recently concluded a run of Australian dates. It was Swift’s first visit; for Brooks & Dunn (with opener Bentley), it was their second consecutive trip to the land Down Under. The superstar duo, along with Bentley, each received the prestigious CMA International Artist Award at their last show in Sydney on May 6. The award is given to artists that show significant contributions around the world to the country genre.

each year during their festival season, including stars like Swift, Tim McGraw, George Strait, Brad Paisley, Kenny Chesney and Reba McEntire this year. R a n d y Tr a v i s , Martina McBride and Dwight Yoakam headline the UTV Fest in Dublin this year, while legends like Kenny Rogers visited Switzerland, the UK and Ireland, Charlie Daniels just concluded his third trip to Iraq and the Bellamy Brothers covered much of Europe. Iconic act the Eagles travel to Scotland for a special July 4 gig. Last but not least, Country’s hottest star, Taylor Swift, electrified sold-out crowds in Australia and London in recent weeks. She travels to Canada and the UK later this summer as part of her Fearless 2009 tour.

“It’s fantastic to be recognized by the CMA after all my international touring in Japan, Europe, and now Australia,” said Bentley. “This award is very cool!”

Pictured Top: (l to r) Former CMA International Broadcaster of the Year Ray Hadley, Ronnie Dunn, Kix Brooks, Dierks Bentley, CMA International Director Rob Potts.

Canada, meanwhile, hosts some of the biggest names in the business

Bottom: Dierks Bentley admires his CMA International Artist Achievement Award.

Spring 2009

Vol. 2, Issue No. 2 Promoting the World of Country Music Around the Globe

CCMA Awards Set For Sunday, Sept. 13 Country Music Week Kicks Off Sept. 10 in Vancouver This year’s 2009 Canadian Country Music Awards promises to be better than ever when Canada’s biggest Country music event kicks off in Vancouver Sept. 10. Held last year in Winnipeg, the fourday celebration known as Country Music Week brings together the country music industry and its fans for a jam-packed agenda of educational seminars, showcases, awards and musical performances. Performers at this year’s awards show will include the 2008 CCMA Male Artist of the Year Johnny Reid, last year’s six-time

award-winner Doc Walker and multiple CCMA award-winner Terri Clark. More stars will be announced in coming weeks. In addition to the weekending awards show, Country Music Week offers a dizzying lineup of events, including the Songwriter’s Café, New Artist Showcase, Industry Brunch and Awards, Fanfest, Educational Panels, Gala Dinner and Awards, Gospel Showcase, Great Guitar Pull and All Star Band Awards and Jam Session. Visit: www.CCMA.org

Frequent-cy Happenings: On The Air UK-based station CMR Nashville is celebrating its third year on the air with an upgrade that has increased its streaming quality “100 percent” for its 26 presenters around the world. Ireland’s Country Mix has paired with streaming service Voice of Country to offer a CMA Awards package in November. UKCountryRadio.com will launch two new shows in May, the Americana/AltCountry-based Medicine Music Hour’s Health and Happiness Hour and Most Heard, the station’s monthly Top Ten countdown. Greece’s Nikos Garavelas and Nashville’s 650AM WSM continue to entertain listeners across the globe with The International Hour, airing Sunday mornings after the Grand Ole Opry and online at www.WSMonline.org.

AristoVideo Status Report Reveals Growth In International Video Opportunities AristoVideo, the video promotion branch of The AristoMedia Group, recently released its 2009 Video Outlet Status Report for the Country format. The report reveals a growing number of international outlets showing Country music video content, as well as rapidly evolving opportunities for video online. “I think the emergence of more Country video programming overseas is just a reflection of how much the genre is taking hold internationally,” says AristoVideo’s Craig Bann. “Certain countries like Bann Australia or Canada have always been avid supporters of the format, but now we’re seeing more and more European countries showing interest, for example.” In addition to major outlets like CMT Canada and CMC (Country Music Channel) in Australia, countries like Germany and Italy have created new programming just this year to host Country video content. Sky Italy now carries multi-hour blocks of videos as part of its programming, while Volksmusik.tv has developed a 24/7 Country music channel in Germany called TV Country, set to launch in June. Rural TV recently launched in Europe, airing classic country television series. View the full report here: www.AristoMedia.com

Spring 2009

Vol. 2, Issue No. 2 Promoting the World of Country Music Around the Globe

Around The World With: Judy Seale Welcome to a new feature in the Aristo International Report. Each issue, we will be spotlighting a prominent figure in the global country music industry. In this issue, we visited with international promoter Judy Seale. 1. What exactly do you do in the international music industry? I am a "talent coordinator/producer" for more than 50 country music events overseas. I have worked with many events for more than 20 years, providing the top names in country music as their headliners. 2. What is your favorite place to hold events? I really don't have a place that I dislike, but I would have to say Kumamoto, Japan would be at the top of my list. Not only because it is such a wonderful event, but because that is the first international festival i produced back in 1989...my "baby." 3. Tell me how you got involved with promoting military tours and events. In 1991, I was managing country music act The Forester Sisters. The USO asked them to go to Iceland over New Year's Eve to entertain the troops. I don't come from a military background, and it was quite an education for me to learn that we had troops deployed to such remote locations -- away from their families and friends. I began volunteering my time with the USO and in 2003, incorporated my own non-profit organization "Stars For Stripes" to provide celebrity entertainment to troops deployed overseas. 4. What is your fondest concert memory? One always stands out. The Country Gold concert in Japan is always held the third weekend in October. After the tragedy of 9/11, the promoter assumed all the U.S. artists would cancel their visit. No one did. In the 13 year history of Country Gold, we were blessed to never have it rain on concert day. That day, as the concert began, it was pouring rain, but the audience stayed. The promoter, Charlie Nagatani, took the stage and said, "It never rains on Country Gold day, and this year, I don't believe it is raining. It believe it is the tears from the victims of 9/11 falling on us today." It still gives me chills. 5. As a promoter, what is your take on the health of country music around the globe? I think that the Internet has definitely expanded our fan base and made the world a "much smaller venue". So many of the countries I tour don’t have country music on radio or TV, so the fans listen constantly on Internet radio and watch videos on-line. This year, many of my festivals can only afford to bring one U.S. artist over due to the economy and are supplementing their lineups with European artists. However, all of my promoters are very optimistic that the economy will be much better in 2010 and are already making plans based on that projection.

And the Winner Is... A Look at the 2009 Awards Season What would the world of Country music be without the annual ritual of bestowing our genre’s best, brightest and most popular stars with some nice new hardware for their trophy cases? Here’s a look at some of the upcoming awards around the globe. Americana Music Assoc. Awards - Sept. 16-19, Nashville, TN, Ryman Auditorium Australasian Performing Right Assoc. Awards June 23, The Peninsula, Melbourne Australian Independent Country Music Awards Oct. 3, Mildura Country Music Fest, Mildura British Country Music Awards - Sept. 18-20, Warton, Preston, UK Canadian Country Music Assoc. Awards Sept. 10-13, GM Place, Vancouver CMA Awards - Nov. 11, Sommet Center, Nashville, TN CMT Music Awards - June 16, Sommet Center, Nashville, TN International Bluegrass Awards - Oct. 1, Ryman Auditorium, Nashville, TN Irish Country Music Awards - August 6, Royal Theatre & Events Centre, Castlebar, Co. Mayo

Spring 2009

Vol. 2, Issue No. 2 Promoting the World of Country Music Around the Globe

Featured Photos From Abroad

Extra Credits: A Quick Trip Around the Globe ‣ In the UK, the Bellamy Brothers “Let Your Love Flow” recently hit No. 1, nearly 35 years after it was written. The song also received BMI’s Five Million Performance Award this year. ‣ Speaking of BMI, the PRO announced that it earned more than $901 million in revenues in 2008, with 26 percent of those ($238 million) coming from international revenues.

Charlie Daniels recently visited troops in Iraq. Pictured l to r: filmmaker David Corlew, Lt. Regina Koetters and Daniels at Al Asad base.

Greek artist Niko is one of the growing number of artists that are building a career largely through independent, grassroots marketing. The indie act garners nearly 5,000 plays a day on his Myspace player and is giving away 20 of his songs for free at www.nikoonline.com. ‣ Digital distribution label GMV Nashville has entered into an agreement to distribute the epic This Is My America project, which features Dolly Parton, Billy Dean, Kathy Mattea, Charley Pride, Mark O’Connor, the Nashville Symphony, the Fisk Jubilee Singers and more. ‣ Suzy Boguss, Matraca Berg and Gretchen Peters have teamed up for the “Wine, Women and Song Tour” in the UK through the end of May. ‣ The first ever Zhangjiajie International Country Music Week just wrapped up in the People’s Republic of China. The brainchild of PRC Chairman Yuxiang Long and Stroudavarious Records CEO James Stroud, the festival is part of a cultural exchange between the two nations.

Australian radio station 2KA Cool Country’s John Bond (r) receives the International Broadcaster Award. Pictured with Aussie promoter Rob Potts and Taylor Swift.

‣ Aussie producer Mark Moffatt recently completed the “Porch Party” remix of Gloriana’s debut single, “Wild at Heart.” Moffatt’s versions is one of three remixes that have enjoyed great success in U.S. dance clubs. ‣ HighwayFM.com will launch its first ever awards show later this year in France. The awards will be determined by fan voting only. ‣ The 26th annual International Music Conference is being held May 21-23 at Belmont University in Nashville, Tenn. For more information, visit www.InternationalCountryMusic.org Contact: If you would like to submit your news, photos or ideas for inclusion in the Aristo International Report, or for advertising inquiries, please contact us at: [email protected] The Global International Report is published online by The AristoMedia Group. www.AristoMedia.com

Tracy Byrd with Four Corners Music Hall owner Bill Wallace in Untermeitingen, Germany. Submit your photos for consideration at: [email protected]

Publisher: Jeff Walker | Editor: Ryan Moore The AristoMedia Group | P.O. Box 22765 | Nashville, TN 37202 Ph. 615.269.7071