Industry News Friday (10/10/08)

Digital music offerings continue to grow. Universal Music Group has licensed its music video catalog to popular teen social networking web site Kiwibox, and has also made a deal with digital and mobile service Dada...

Benefits/LifeNotes Friday (10/10/08)

RCA VP of Promotion Keith Gale and Curb VP of Promotion Adrian Michaels will duke it out in the second annual Rumble On The Row. Proceeds from the March 13 three-round boxing match will...

Ash Bowers signed to BBR/Magic Mustang

10/09/2008

Singer/Songwriter Ash Bowers has signed a recording/publishing deal with BBR and Magic Mustang Music. Bowers is in the studio with noted producer Buddy Cannon working on his debut project for BBR and will be featured at the Buddy Lee Attractions showcase for IEBA at Cadillac Ranch on Oct. 13.

(L-R): Lee Adams, VP Promotion BBR; Bowers; Benny Brown, CEO/Owner BBR; Tina Crawford, BBR A&R & Magic Mustang Creative Dir.; Bruce Larson, Saddle Creek Mgmt.; and Brad Howell, BBR GM.

HFA Invites Publishers To Lunch And Learn

Sarah Skates – 10/09/2008

The Harry Fox Agency (HFA) is hosting a “Lunch and Learn” event for music publishers at the Loews Vanderbilt Hilton at noon on Mon., Nov. 3. HFA CEO Gary Churgin will provide the latest updates from HFA, followed by training for using the company’s online tools for publishers, particularly as it relates to digital licensing and royalty information.

HFA Online Training Sessions for Publishers:
1:00 PM—Income Tracking Reports – New Manufacturer Comparison Reports
1:30 PM—eSong
2:00 PM—Online Licensing Reports and Digital Formats
2:30 PM—Online Royalty Statements and Digital Formats

Publishers should RSVP by Oct. 27 to press@harryfox.com or 212-834-0133.

Robin Lightner Lands A Bullseye

Sarah Skates – 10/09/2008

Robin Lightner

Robin Lightner has joined John Hart’s firm Bullseye Marketing/ Research as National Director Sales & Marketing. She is a longtime a promotion executive who most recently worked the One Flew South project exclusively for Decca Records. Prior to that she spent nearly 7 years as National Director, Country for Ready4Radio. She can be reached at 615-292-7318.

Trisha Walker-Cunningham Receives Award Of Merit

10/09/2008

Trisha Walker-Cunningham recently received an Award of Merit from Governor Phil Bredesen honoring her “30 years of faithful service to Country Music in the best interests and in the highest traditions of the State of Tennessee." Jo Walker-Meador, former Executive Director of the CMA, surprised her with the award.

During her career in Nashville, Walker-Cunningham has excelled as a talent buyer, publicist, manager, tour manager and consultant. Originally from Britain, she has taken more than 300 artists overseas for Festival and tour appearances. Walker-Cunningham has exclusively represented Switzerland’s Gstaad Festival, and France’s Craponne Festival for more than 20 years each. She was the first recipient of the CMA’s Jo Walker-Meador International Achievement Award, and received the organization’s International Talent Buyer/Promoter of the Year in 2007.

Walker-Cunningham says, "My work in Nashville has been extremely diverse these past 30 years, so I cannot take full credit for this award. I want to share it with Jo Walker-Meador, the CMA and all the wonderful and talented people in every facet of the industry who believe in me.”

(L-R): Jo Walker-Meador and Trisha Walker-Cunningham. Photo: Bob Meador

Chicks with Hits Look Back on a Decade of Success

10/09/2008

BMI hosted a spirited celebration to toast Music Row’s Chicks with Hits’ ten years of success Oct. 8. The songplugging coalition invited their closest allies and friends from the past decade, and guests enjoyed good company, hors d'oeuvres, drinks, and a video cataloging the Chicks’ triumphs. Joe Nichols’ “Tequila Makes Her Clothes Fall Off” and Jo Dee Messina’s “Bring on the Rain” are just two of the smashes culled from Chicks with Hits pitch sessions.

(L-R) back: Chicks with Hits’ Melanie Howard (Harlan Howard Songs), Debbie Zavitson (ZMG), Ree Guyer Buchanan (Wrensong), Tracy Gershon, and Dianna Maher (Moraine Music Group); second row: BMI’s Clay Bradley, Chicks with Hits’ Abbe Nameche (S1 Songs America), Judy Harris (Judy Harris Music), Whitney Daane (Kobalt Music Publishing), Jewel Coburn (Ten Ten Music Group), and Janie West (Janie West Music), BMI’s Leslie Roberts, with Chicks with Hits’ Carla Wallace (Big Yellow Dog), Lisa Johnson (Sweet Manic Music) and Celia Froehlig (Froehlig Palmer Music); first row: Chicks with Hits’ Stephanie Cox (Larga Vista Music), Kim Jones (RSP Music), Karen Conrad (Hampton Ave Music) and Robin Palmer (Anchor Down Music), with Chicks with Hits’ Shawn Heflin (Shawn Inc.), kneeling in front.

Industry News Thursday (10/9/08)

BNA Records’ Kellie Pickler debuted at the top of the SoundScan Country Album Chart this week, becoming only the sixth country artist to have both their first and second albums enter at No. 1 during...

Amanda Williams Signs with Zavitson Music Group

10/08/2008

Singer/songwriter Amanda Williams has signed with Zavitson Music Group for exclusive publishing representation. Recently Willliams dropped by the SESAC office to help celebrate the new venture.

(L-R): Zavitson Music Group’s Jenny Gill and Debbie Zavitson, SESAC’s John Mullins, Williams, Zavitson Music Group’s Carrie Bleitner and SESAC’s Shannan Tipton-Neese. Photo: Ed Rode

AWMG Entertainment Signs Rob Crosby

10/08/2008

BMI writer Rob Crosby recently signed an exclusive publishing agreement with AWMG Entertainment. Crosby’s writing and artist career have given him several Billboard Top Ten Songs including “Concrete Angel” recorded by Martina McBride, “She's More” recorded by Andy Griggs and “Holdin' a Good Hand” recorded by Lee Greenwood.