Whaever happened to Michelle Branch? Is this Miley Cyrus' future?

Michelle Branch played at The Grove in Los Angeles yesterday. At one point she was the pop queen, exactly as Miley Cyrus is today. She was hot, sexy, had a fantastic, beautiful voice. She did a song with Santana that shot her into the stratosphere.

Then she formed the Wreckers, and that's exactly what it did to her career. Sounds like Cheyenne Kimball joining Gloriana. Is Branch's career foretelling Miley Cyrus' future? After all, those tour tickets have been on sale for four months and are yet to sell out.

Stick with us as next week we explore, Whatever happened to J-Lo? Is this Mariah Carey's future?

Gloriana debuts high on Billboard 200 Charts evidence Tween music is dying

Are you listening to Tween Music Marketing Sociologist? Gloriana, written about here at the end of July, debuted as Billboard magazine’s second highest new release at #3. This fledgling group sold nearly double established artist Ashley Tisdale did with Guilty Pleasure. Gloriana came in at 44,000 units.

At 39 weeks on the charts, Taylor Swift’s Fearless held steadfast at #9, selling another 37,000 units – again more than Ashley Tisdale’s recent out of the box effort. Swift’s self titled debut is still charting #39 after 146 weeks – is this another Pink Floyd Dark Side of the Moon?

Speaking of Tisdale, I was beginning to think she fell off the chart completely. She landed at #56 after two weeks on the chart. A group you’ve never heard of, Chickenfoot, is doing even better. A reggae band, Rebelution, is doing better than Tisdale.

Hannah Montana Volume 3 dropped four spots, #11 after five weeks on the charts. Falling fast. Same with Demi Lovato’s Here We Go Again, from #1 to #14 in three weeks. Tween music truly is not selling. Again, two years ago Miley Cyrus sells out in 20 minutes, not even in three months today. Even Jonas Brothers are not selling out shows on their tour. Their CD, Lines, Vines and Trying Times, fell to #27 after eight weeks on the chart. Compare that to Black Eyed Peas; #4 after nine weeks.

Jordin Sparks’ Battlefield fell to #40 after three weeks, peaking at #7. Soon to be another forgotten American Idiot star? Remember Fantasia – yeah, I didn’t think so.

With Sugarland charting #1 and #21, Swift hanging on, looks like it’s time to “go country” (wasn’t there a song with that title?). Of course, next week it could be “go urban.”

Gloriana debuts Aug. 4

Miley and Billy Ray Cyrus have popularized country music. There’s a country music CD/album coming you should pay attention to.

First, I’ll say I’m not a big fan of country music. I wrote about and covered it at The Denver Post because no one else would do it. I traded; I had jazz first. Probably would have killed myself on the jazz beat

The CD you should watch out for is Gloriana.Two words why you should watch this CD – Cheyenne Kimball. Ever hear the Miley Cyrus song Four Walls? Kimball did it first on The Day Has Come.

For some reason she is more comfortable in Gloriana. The muse is a funny thing. I’m not one to tell her to stay solo. Let her pursue her happiness.

I can’t understand why Kimball isn’t up there with Miley Cyrus and all those other top sellers – like Daughtry (proof there is no hope for the world). She has one of the finest voices in the world.

I say the same thing about Aly & AJ, but their music marketing tactics have significantly hurt their musical careers. After seeing Bandslam, Alyson Michalka doesn’t need to worry. She’s on the yellow brick road to thespian Hollywood stardom. After seeing Bandslam, I bestow THE best voice ever award to Michalka. See the review below.

Gloriana isn’t even country. They’re more bluegrass. That didn’t hurt someone I met in Colorado, Jerry Douglas. Taylor Swift recently put pictures of her home up on Twitter asking people to guess where it was. I looked and said, “That’s right next to Jerry Douglas’ property in Hendersonville (Tenn.).” So if Douglas is doing well enough with bluegrass, and touring with Elvis Costello, to afford living next to Taylor Swift, guess being bluegrass isn’t that bad.

Why isn't she the biggest star in the world?

Why you need to get Internet airplay – Building the Band Brand series

Who is Cheyenne Kimball? Thought I kept up with current events, but an Oprah show promoting America’s most talented "kids" (thought it was about baby goats) got past my grasp. Must have been on the can the whole 30 seconds it was on the air.

Didn’t even connect her as the author of “Four Walls,” a hit for Miley Cyrus.

Did discover her on an Internet radio station, though. Believe it was Launchcast.

That’s why it is so important for bands who want to become famous in the 21st Century to get “radio” play. Unlike the ‘50s through 2008, as we enter the second decade of the 21st Century “radio” play means Internet radio.

At least 60 percent of the U.S. and Europe are on the Internet. I listen to radio stations out of my father’s native Buttevant, Ireland in the wee mornings hours when the East Coast of the U.S. is just rising to Danny Bonaduce in Philadelphia – also available on the Internet.

I’d venture 35 percent of the most populated areas of the world – Europe, U.S., Japan/Asia are getting their music online or from satellite. In 10 years, over-the-air radio audience will be like today’s newspapers.

Look, if an unknown president named Barak Obama is utilizing Internet advertising – and YouTube – to promote his agendas, why aren’t you promoting your band via Internet? Take a clue, Arnold! Think you invented this avenue, Mr. Governator (Thank you and Maria for following me on Twitter).

Keep coming back to this and tweenmarketing.blogspot.com for updates on Building the Band Brand: Becoming Famous in the 21st Century. Love to have your comments

Looking for bands who want to be involved in the upcoming book, “Building the Band Brand: Becoming Famous in the 21st Century.” Need to ask questions and get your answers. Email mediarelationsexpert@yahoo.com.