Jillia Jackson Joins ASCAP

10/01/2008

ASCAP welcomes writer/artist Jillia Jackson as one of its newest writer members. Jackson and Will Rambeaux visited the Nashville office on Monday to share some of her music with the ASCAP Nashville staff.

(L-R): ASCAP’s Mike Sistad, Rambeaux, Jackson (seated) and ASCAP Sr. VP Connie Bradley. Photo: Jessica Tompkins

New Site Lets Fans Purchase Stake in Songs

Sarah Skates – 09/30/2008

A new company called SongVest is auctioning off what it says is the ultimate piece of music memorabilia—the rights to hit songs. The first official auction will run Oct. 4 through Oct. 18 at www.songvest.com, offering partial ownership of songs including Garth Brooks’ “Friends In Low Places,” “(The Theme from) The Monkees,” Aerosmith’s “Gotta Love It,” Ozzy Osbourne’s “Denial,” and Bon Jovi’s “Two Story Town.” A story in the Wall Street Journal reports that some titles could bring more than $250,000. Madison, Wisc. based SongVest will collect commissions of between 25-40% of the sale price from both buyer and seller.

Those who purchase a stake in the songs will receive a personalized plaque denoting their new status as song co-owner, along with a RIAA-certified gold or platinum album award, handwritten lyrics, and other collectible items. They will also share in part of the royalties, though the idea is not to make money, but to own a piece of history. SongVest purchasers will not have a say in how the works are licensed.

In a test auction last year, a 25% stake in two songs by the '80s Christian-metal band Stryper garnered $25,000, much more than what the songs would bring as part of a catalog sale.

The industry is invited to the Nashville launch party on Wed., Oct. 1, from 5:30-8:00 PM at the Gibson Showroom.
RSVP to RSVPNashville@SongVest.com.

Fall Events Will Benefit TJ Martell Foundation

Sarah Skates – 09/30/2008

Click to register at www.funrunandwalk.com.

The TJ Martell Foundation’s fight against cancer and AIDS will benefit from several upcoming events. Among the fundraisers is the Nov. 1 First Annual Dunkin’ Donuts Family Fun Run and Walk-A-Thon. Participants will enjoy a 3.1 mile jaunt around downtown Nashville and return to a picnic with food from Applebee's, games, a kids zone, entertainment by pureNRG, and celebrity autographs. Hosted by Frank Wycheck and pureNRG, registration for the outing starts at 9:00 a.m. at the Hall of Fame Park. There will also be a presentation to Mayor Karl Dean, and participants are encouraged to wear their Halloween costumes.

Also benefitting the TJ Martell Foundation will be the exclusive “Best Cellars Food and Wine Weekend,” Sat., Oct. 25 and Sun., Oct. 26. The Saturday night “Chef’s Table Experience” allows guests to witness acclaimed Spanish Chef Marc Fosh creating the night’s seven-course tasting menu and enjoy wines from the private cellar of hosts Robin and Stephen Collins. Titans Head Coach Jeff Fisher will attend as the Celebrity Guest. Tickets ($5,000/couple, $3,000/person) to the “Chef’s Table Experience” are limited to 20 guests.

“A Taste of Spain in the Country,” to be held Sun. afternoon, Oct. 26 will feature a selection of 40 different wines and authentic Spanish cuisine prepared by Chef Fosh in a beautiful outdoor, family-style setting. Tickets to this are $250 each and limited to 100 guests. Tickets available by calling the T.J. Martell Foundation at 615-256-2002 or at www.tjmartellfoundation.org.

Smokin’ Curb Showcase

09/30/2008

Curb Publishing, BMI and CAO recently teamed up at CAO International Headquarters to showcase new songs by Doug Johnson, Lee Brice and Kyle Jacobs for A&R executives and producers. The event took place on CAO’s outdoor terrace which framed the performers with a multi-level patio and oval fire pit. Guests were treated to cigars and a tour of the cigar maker’s walk-in circular humidor where it ages thousands of experimental cigar blends not yet ready to take to market. On the musical side, Johnson’s “Ain’t Nobody” sounded custom created for Keith Urban. —DMR

(L-R): BMI’s Bradley Collins, Johnson, Brice, Colt Cameron, Jacobs, Curb’s Drew Alexander, Curb’s John Ozier, and Jennifer Chaffin.

Benefits/Lifenotes Tuesday (9/30/08)

LIFENOTES
Congratulations to Adelle Borchetta and Tommy Fossen who were married over the weekend at Casa Ybel Resort on Sanibel Island, Fla. Borchetta recently left Lofton Creek to move to Fossen’s hometown of Cleveland, Ohio...

Industry News Tuesday (9/30/08)

The Academy of Country Music has announced its new Board of Director officers for the 2008-2009 term, including Chairman, Rod Essig; President, John Grady; Vice President, Bill Mayne; Treasurer, John Dorris; and Secretary, Tiffany Moon...

Publishers Celebrate the Peach Pickers

09/29/2008

THIS Music, EMI Music Publishing and Warner Chappell hosted a party to celebrate and promote the Peach Pickers, the songwriting trio made up of Georgia natives Ben Hayslip, Dallas Davidson and Rhett Akins. The Peach Pickers recently enjoyed the Top 5 success of their song “Put A Girl In It,” recorded by Brooks and Dunn. Their songs have also been recorded by Blake Shelton, Rodney Atkins, Jack Ingram and Joe Nichols. Partygoers enjoyed peach cobbler and ice cream, courtesy of BMI, and left with a comp of un-recorded Peach Picker material.

(L-R): EMI’s Gary Overton, BMI’s Bradley Collins, This Music’s Rusty Gaston, Hayslip, Davidson, Akins, EMI’s Ben Vaughn, BMI’s Beth Mason and Warner Chappell’s Dale Bobo.

WhiteStar Launches With George Ducas As Flagship Artist

Sarah Skates – 09/29/2008

George Ducas and JC Lestorti

Hit songwriter George Ducas has signed with WhiteStar Entertainment for recording and publishing, becoming the new enterprise’s flagship artist. He will also act as Creative Advisor to develop the catalog of the entertainment venture which includes a full service record label, publishing company, artist management and development, and a live entertainment division. WhiteStar is spearheaded by President and CEO JC Lestorti, whose background includes 19 years in NASCAR, and a Baseball sports management company with Alex Rodriguez of the New York Yankees.

Carson James has also been added to the WhiteStar staff as Senior Consultant/Radio Promotion & Marketing. He is in the process of assembling a full promotion team. By the end of 2008, Lestorti says WhiteStar “will also be signing a duo, a female act and a group.” He adds that he is “currently in negotiations” with a few artists and has “plans for other business ventures in Nashville.”

Ducas, who is currently touring with Keith Anderson, has written hit songs for Garth Brooks, The Dixie Chicks, George Jones, Trisha Yearwood and a No. 1 for Sara Evans. Most recently he penned the track “Always the Love Songs” on the Eli Young Band’s just-released album.

My Good Girl Music Promotes King, Hires Hollis

Sarah Skates – 09/29/2008

Kelly King and Melissa Hollis

Kelly King has been promoted to partner and co-owner of My Good Girl Music alongside noted producer and publishing executive Mark Bright. She has worked there since Bright started the company in 2006 as a co-venture with Sony/ATV Music. My Good Girl Music has also added Melissa Hollis as Creative Director and Catalog Manager. Hollis, a 2001 graduate of Belmont University, previously worked at Larga Vista Music. The publisher is celebrating its first No. 1 song, Jimmy Wayne’s “Do You Believe Me Now,” written and produced by Joe West.

Bright and King first worked together in 1999, when Bright co-founded Teracel Music. The company, which was later acquired by S1 Songs, signed hit songwriters such as Brett James, Rascal Flatts and Danny Wells, and was responsible for No. 1 songs, such as "Jesus, Take the Wheel," and "When the Sun Goes Down."

Broadcasters Get Musical Treat And Mark Milestone

09/29/2008

BMI’s Darlene Rosado was one of many who attended the National Alliance of State Broadcasters Association’s (NASBA) Fall Meeting reception during the NAB Radio Show in Austin, TX. The Sept. 20 event featured BMI songwriter Monte Warden who performed “Desperately,” the hit song he wrote for George Strait, as well as others penned for Carrie Underwood, Patty Loveless, George Jones and Travis Tritt. The reception also honored Phil Roberts on his retirement after almost 20 years as President & CEO of the New Jersey Broadcasters Association.

(L-R): Doug Easter, Exec. Dir. Virginia Assoc. of Broadcasters; Paula Maes, Pres./CEO New Mexico Broadcasters Assoc.; Dennis Lyle, Pres. NASBA and Pres./CEO Illinois Broadcasters Assoc.; Roberts; Warden; Rosado; Christine H. Merritt, Exec. VP Ohio Assoc. of Broadcasters.