©2009, MusicRow Communications, LLC—ALL RIGHTS RESERVED news@musicrow.com

page 1 Wednesday, July 22, 2009Wednesday, July 22, 2009

Who can resist a simple value

proposition? Submit your email address

and get two free MP3s. A confirmation

welcome email arrived within moments.

One more click and I was downloading

the promised package, which contained

two large (320) MP3 files.

"We have three initial themes in this

artist campaign," says Bigger Picture

Partner Bob Cahill.

"Love, family and

harmony. Those are

pretty self explanatory

since The Harters are

a sibling act, two

brothers and a sister.

Harmony is what they

do. Love and family is

the strength that

supports their writing

and the music they

make. So the initial thrust is called Join

The Family. There is a widget on

www.thehartersmusic.com now that

gives you two free tracks when you sign

up. A nice simple come on over to our

house type message."

Cahill, a partner in Bigger Picture

Group with Alan Kates, Keith Stegall,

Bill Hein, Michael Powers and Bob

Ezrin, focuses on music services. This

relatively new company is perhaps the

first in Nashville to utilize a new artist

branding/building platform called

Topspin.com. "The Bigger Picture

arrangement with Topspin is very much

a partnership," says Cahill. "We are their

first Nashville partner. It involves a lot of

collaboration starting from the first

marketing call. We plan to integrate their

solution into everything we do. It's our

view that the business will continue to

get more direct-to-fan."

Like most of the BP partners, Cahill

is an industry veteran having served in

SVP sales positions for Rhino, EMI and

V2 Records (Moby, Wu Tang/RZA) and

then serving as EVP/GM at Sanctuary

Records Group. Most recently he worked

for Live Nation Artists as SVP Project

Management. Also like most of his BP

comrades he is actively integrating new

technology into his planning and strategy.

"We're keen to blend the best of what

still works from the old models with the

technologies that exist today and perhaps

Bigger Picture Aligns With Topspin Retail Platformby David M. Ross

Bob Cahill

©2009, MusicRow Communications, LLC—ALL RIGHTS RESERVED news@musicrow.com

page 2 Wednesday, July 22, 2009

push the envelope a little bit on behalf of our acts," says

Cahill. "We did extensive vetting of all the available direct-

to-fan platforms and were impressed with what Topspin

brought to the table. As opposed to a pure e-commerce

play, it integrates best practices and bits and pieces from

other places. These guys have put it all together in one

very slick platform."

So what exactly is Topspin and how will it help the new

trio? "The Harters focus is on having a direct and deep

fan relationship," Cahill explains. Building the direct-to-

fan channel and lifetime value is a key part of that strategy

with people who sign up to be involved. The first step is

to collect permission-based names prior to pulling the

trigger and overlaying some of the more traditional

drivers like radio, etc. Hopefully, we can also engage

radio listeners and send them to thehartersmusic.com to

get some free stuff, get informed and become part of the

family."

A Topspin-created Harters widget which can easily be

grabbed, propagated and embedded anywhere (i.e.

myspace, Facebook, blogs) makes it easy to join the

family. "Our goal," says Cahill, "is to propagate the Join

The Family offer as often and broadly as possible while

Michael Powers prepares to go to radio and Jennie Smythe

starts the digital and social network initiatives. It's all

designed to gather a core fan group."

After the Join The Family phase gains

momentum, phase two will move from data

collection and analytics to include a pre-order

of the album and various multi-product

package offers that Topspin is slick at. "You'll

see offers at various price levels—perhaps a

CD/digital combo, a CD/t-shirt; or a digital

combo with a ticket to a show," says Cahill.

"We get to draw best practices from folks

who have done a lot of business in this

space. These guys really know their stuff."

Cahill points out that the aforementioned

tactics don't necessarily mean that less money

needs to be budgeted for radio and other more

traditional channels. "It's not so much about

budget as about building lifetime value," he

adds. "To be honest, Topspin is more about the

retail space. About finding new ways of reaching out,

marketing to and engaging potential fans, then being

able to sift data and identify the super fans."

So Topspin shouldn't be confused as a total solution

for country tacticians hoping to stage an end run around

radio? "That is correct," states the Bigger Picture partner.

"It doesn't replace radio, if anything it allocates the retail

part differently. Traditionally when a fan goes into Wal-Mart

and picks up a CD no one knows that person. This way the

band knows who their fans are. In terms of radio we have

our own promotion staff and a lot of money invested in that

area. It still drives the bus in terms of getting a mass

market going. I would submit the Topspin approach is very

complimentary in that it engages fans on a deeper level and

gives the info to the band and their partners instead of

third parties or middleman. It allows you to build a fan for

life and even use them as part of your street team. The

guy that designed the Topspin platform is the guy that

invented ProTools. These guys bring a new perspective

designed to shorten the distance between fans and potential

fans. I'd love to see our Topspin stuff on country radio

sites that want to work with us on it."

www.topspinmedia.com

Capitol Nashville’s Emily West took part in Lollipop Theater Network’s Rhythm of Hope

event last week at Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt. Rhythm of Hope is

an interactive music program for pediatric patients that gives children a chance to

create their own songs while learning the building blocks of music.

©2009, MusicRow Communications, LLC—ALL RIGHTS RESERVED news@musicrow.com

page 3 Wednesday, July 22, 2009

Study Shows Growth In Copyright Industries New findings released by the International

Intellectual Property Alliance (IIPA) show growth in the

U.S. copyright industries (music and

sound recordings, film, TV, home

video, DVDs, software, books) during

2003-2007. When the report was

released to the U.S. Department of

Commerce, David Israelite, President

and CEO of the National Music

Publishers’ Association, a member of

IIPA, noted that the biggest threat to

the U.S. copyright industries continues

to be unlawful use of copyrighted

works.

“Copyright Industries and the U.S. Economy: The

2003-2007 Report” shows that the core copyright

industries:

• Accounted for nearly 23% of the U.S. economy’s

growth in 2006-2007;

• Grew at a rate more than twice that of the U.S.

economy as a whole in each of the years 2004-2007;

• Added $889 billion to the U.S. economy in 2007 –

approx. 6.4% of GDP;

• Exceeded $126 billion in foreign sales in 2007;

• Employed 5.6 million workers in 2007, more than 4%

of the U.S. workforce.

The complete report can be viewed at www.iipa.com

Industry Rallies Around NewNon-Profit Women Rock

For The Cure

(WRFTC), the non-

profit founded by

members of the

local music

business including

Jensen Sussman

and Liz Lee

Schullo, has

announced its

board members (listed below). The

organization is also holding its first annual

Pink Trash Ball fundraiser on Sat., July

25, 8 PM at Mad Donna's in East

Nashville. The hot pink themed evening

features a DJ spinning classic '80s,

dancing, pink carpet arrival and pink

cocktails. Come decked out in your best

trashy pink attire, there will be a king

and queen of the ball crowned that

night. No cover (suggested $10 donation).

All of the proceeds will benefit Women

Rock For The Cure and the Greater

Nashville affiliate of Susan G. Komen For

The Cure®.

American Roots Records group TelluRide took a short break from promoting their debut

single, “Pencil Marks” to sing the “Star Spangled Banner” at Sunday’s (7/19) Cincinnati Reds

vs. Milwaukee Brewers baseball game at the Queen City’s Great American Ball Park. The Reds

went on to beat their division rivals 5-3. (L-R): Brian Smith, Jimi Hendrix, Adam Craig and

Ryan Jones with Cincinnati Reds mascot “Rosie Red.” Photo: Nicole Palsa

David Israelite

©2009, MusicRow Communications, LLC—ALL RIGHTS RESERVED news@musicrow.com

page 4 Wednesday, July 22, 2009

Women Rock For The Cure Board:

Co-president: Jensen Sussman, Sweet Talk Publicity

Co-president: Liz Lee Schullo, Wayne Kirkpatrick/Magic

Beans Productions

VP: Rebekah Lee Beard, Latocki Team Creative

Secretary: Erin Burr, NSAI

Treasurer: Tara Austin, Scooter Girl Songs

Membership Director: Luellyn Latocki, Latocki Team

Creative

Board Members: Amy Friedman, Sirius/XM; Michelle

Goble, ACM; Caitlin Fisher, Columbia Nashville

recording artist; Aimee Johns, Flavour boutique; Alicia

Warwick, NARAS; Cassandra Tormes, Cherry Heart

Music; Charles Sussman, Sussman & Associates; Dr.

David H. Johnson, Vanderbilt Oncology; Deanna

Bruton, Passport Catering; Jennifer Purdon Turnbow,

NSAI; Legina Chaudoin, O’Neil Hagaman; Natalie

Kilgore, Big Machine; Randy Brown, Borman

Entertainment; Robert Sullivan, Loeb & Loeb; Tina

Hamilton, Greater Nashville Susan G. Komen For The

Cure; and Tracy McGlocklin, RLM / Mission

Management

Muzak Hosts Heart & Soul Camp In Nashville The Muzak Heart & Soul

Foundation’s music camp, NOISE!,

is going on this week in Nashville.

High school students from across

the United States were selected to

attend based on merit. They are

learning from sessions led by local

industry professionals including

Rod Essig (Creative Artists

Agency), Michael Knox

(producer), Peter Zavadil (video

director), Mark Mason (BMI), Jim

Zumwalt (attorney), Alan Mayor

(photographer), Hal Hassell

(Digital Technology), Rob

Blackledge (One Revolution Entertainment), Richard

Orga (Black Ink Music Publishing), Chris Wallin

(Songwriter), Teena Camp (TSC Marketing) and

Vanessa Parker-Davis (Splash! PR). NOISE! student

attendees are also visiting music industry businesses

including CMT, Capitol Records, Ocean Way Studios, BMI,

Clear Channel Studios, Belmont University, Mike Curb

College of Entertainment & Music Business, and The

Wildhorse Saloon.

CMT Heads To Alan’s Aquapalooza CMT will be on board this Sat., July 25 for Alan

Jackson’s concert on the water at Lake Martin, AL. Over

3,000 boats are expected to “raft up” to the stage to catch

the action. The Carter Twins, Caitlin & Will, Jypsi,

and Matt Stillwell are also set to perform. The special

will air Labor Day weekend, Fri., Sept. 4 at 7 PM/CT.

Also on CMT, Brad Paisley performs his greatest hits

as well as new music from his album, American Saturday

Night, when Invitation Only: Brad Paisley premieres

Mon., Aug. 3 at 8 PM/CT. A departure from the typical

concert special, Invitation Only features country music’s

biggest stars performing before a small studio audience

in Nashville, and taking questions from fans.

Tidbits• Mike Sirls will be handling Midwest Promotion for

Treehouse Records. The former RCA/Nashville Director of

Midwest Promotion left RCA last summer after a total of

14 years. He can be reached at 615-497-6125

or mike@treehouserecords.us.

• Farm Aid has expanded its cross genre lineup to

include returning guest Jamey Johnson, along with

Jason Mraz, Wilco, and Phosphorescent. The all-day

music and food festival on Sunday, Oct. 4 will be held in

Maryland Heights, Mo. As previously announced it will

also feature Farm Aid board members Willie Nelson,

Neil Young, John Mellencamp and Dave Matthews,

who will perform with Tim Reynolds.

• After a four-year hiatus, VH1 Divas will return with

performers Miley Cyrus, Kelly Clarkson, Adele, and

Leona Lewis. The concert will be televised live on VH1

on Thurs., Sept. 17 at 8 PM/CT from the Brooklyn Academy

Cold River Records artist Katie Armiger (R)

makes a new friend in radio personality Delilah

(L) on the "Good Morning Atlanta" show prior to

her mall tour stop at Town Center at Cobb.

Pheromone Records’ artist Greg Hanna stopped

by WWYN FM in Jackson, TN to promote his new

single “It’s A Man’s Job” from his upcoming self-

titled debut album, set for release Sept. 14.

(L-R): Hanna and WWYN PD/MD Shane Connor.

KIXQ/Joplin, Mo. morning drive air personality,

Jenn Barnes (R) stopped backstage to visit Way

Out West artist Shawna Russell (L) before her

show at “Club KIX” in the Buffalo Run Casino,

in Miami, Oklahoma. Photo: Tessa Russell

©2009, MusicRow Communications, LLC—ALL RIGHTS RESERVED news@musicrow.com

page 5 Wednesday, July 22, 2009

of Music Howard Gilman Opera

House in New York. Other performers,

presenters and special guests will

be announced in the coming weeks.

• In related Clarkson news, the

pop star who is managed by Narvel

Blackstock’s Starstruck, has

announced her All I Ever Wanted

Tour, kicking off in Uncasville, CT

on Oct. 2 and concluding in

Hollywood, FL on Dec. 13. Steve

Moore of MEG/AEG Live—Nashville

will promote the bulk of the tour

which will cover 32 U.S. and

Canadian markets. Clarkson has

sold more than 20 million albums

since her 2002 debut. She

premiered current single “Already

Gone” on The Late Show with

David Letterman last week.

• CeCe Winans will host the 4th

annual Always Sisters, Forever

Brothers Youth Conference, which

she founded, this weekend, July

24-25 at Belmont University. The

goal is to educate, motivate and

re-direct the life choices of

teenagers.

• Trent Reznor, the Nine Inch

Nails frontman who is always on

the cutting edge of online

technology and networking, has

closed his Twitter account.

According to a blog he posted last

month, he may abandon social

networking altogether, citing

unsavory people who populate the

sites. Where is the tech savvy artist

headed next?

Grammy award winning singer/songwriter Marty Raybon, former lead singer of Shenandoah has

signed with GrandVista Music. "We've been wanting to delve into the country genre for a while,”

announced GrandVista CEO David Mastran. Raybon will release a single later this year. (L-R):

Raybon, Mastron and GrandVista Music Pres. Paul Binkley.

Columbia Nashville newcomer Josh Thompson teamed up with RCA Nashville's Jake Owen for a

performance this past Saturday (7/18) at Nashville's Tin Roof. RCA Nashville recording artist Chris

Young stopped by to catch the show and join his friend Thompson on stage for a few songs. (L-R):

Young, Thompson, WQMX PD Sue Wilson, Sony Music Nashville VP Mktg. Tom Baldrica, Owen, Sony

Music Nashville VP A&R Renee Bell, Sony Music Nashville Exec. VP Butch Waugh, singer/songwriter

Chris Janson, RCA Nashville VP Promotion Keith Gale, Columbia Nashville Dir. National Promotion

David Friedman, and WSIX PD Keith Kaufman.