BMI Taps Penny Everhard For Writer/Publisher Relations

Penny Everhard is the newest member of BMI's Writer/Publisher Relations team.

Penny Everhard has joined Broadcast Music, Inc. (BMI) as Associate Director, Writer/Publisher Relations, Nashville, it was announced today by Jody Williams, Vice President of Writer/Publisher Relations, Nashville for BMI. Everhard will report to Williams and Clay Bradley, Associate Vice President, Writer/Publisher Relations, Nashville.

In her new position at the performing right organization, Everhard will be responsible for developing and maintaining relationships with BMI songwriters and music publishers in Nashville and throughout the Southeast region. She will also assist BMI writers and publishers with administrative and creative functions and help coordinate local and national songwriter events, showcases and seminars.

“Penny exemplifies the qualities that make a great writer relations executive,” said Williams. “She knows music, and she’s personable, focused and organized. Her contribution to our writers and publishers will be substantial. BMI is lucky to have her.”

Prior to joining BMI, Everhard served as a song plugger and creative manager at both Tom-Leis Music and Love Monkey Music in Nashville, where she created and executed opportunities for staff writers, including top-tier artist and writer co-writes. In addition to also scouting and developing new talent, she oversaw day-to-day office management, and served as production assistant for all sessions, which included hiring musicians, booking studios and processing billing. Everhard studied Business Administration at Belmont University in Nashville, where she graduated with a BBA in Music Business.

Congratulate her at peverhard@bmi.com or (615) 401-2727.

30A Songwriters Festival: Q&A with Joanna Cotten

The 3rd annual 30A Songwriters Festival was held on Jan. 13-15, 2012. Produced by the Cultural Arts Alliance of Walton County and presented by Visit South Walton, the festival featured more than 125 songwriters along the South Walton’s scenic Highway 30A in northwest Florida.

MusicRow spoke exclusively with one of its talented participants, singer/songwriter Joanna Cotten about her first experience at the festival.

MusicRow: As a first-time performer and attendee, how would you describe the culture of the 30A Songwriters Festival?

Joanna Cotten: Even though this was my first year participating in the festival, I am certainly no stranger to 30A. The area is a string of small coastal communities, and since January is slow season for them it allows the festival to be the focus in the area. The venues included various bars, restaurants and performing halls all along 30A that were run mainly by volunteers. You could tell they put a lot of effort into this and really came together to pull something like this off. The atmosphere there is very relaxed and I think the white-sand beaches are some of the most gorgeous I’ve ever seen. I’ve done several writers retreats down there and even got married on 30A, so that tells you how much I love it. I felt an excitement from the local people about the festival, and every audience I encountered was so eager to hear music and was very appreciative of the talent that was there to share their gifts.

MR: What was a personal highlight from participating in the festival?

JC: They created a true listening environment at the festival, which allows us as artists and writers to share the messages and gifts that we have. So, personally, any time I get to share my music directly with people, that is why I participate. We were also able to connect with other songwriters and see them play and get to know them a bit, so hopefully it will open doors for future co-writes and gigs.

MR: Were there any special moments that you came back with?

JC: I had a lady come up to me who saw me play the first night of the festival and tell me that she wanted to make sure that she saw me the second night. So she went to the venue at noon to get a good seat and waited until we played…at 9:30 p.m.! It’s always nice to get positive feedback from your gift and to know it’s touching people in a way that will make them wait that long to see more!

MR: Who are some of the other performers you connected with?

JC: The first round I participated in was with Lenny LeBlanc (Dove award winning writer for “Above All” recorded by Michael W. Smith) and Teddy Gentry (of the group Alabama). It’s always a humbling experience to know you are on the stage next to guys who have sold millions of records! I was also really excited to get to hang with Lori McKenna. We were on Warner Bros. together and never got a chance to meet, so we had a lot of funny stories about being on a major label and moving away from that to what we do today. Also, Mary Gauthier and I were able to meet and it turns out she had heard the project I did on Warner Bros. through Peter Collins, the producer of that record. I have heard so much about her music and was able to go see her show and now I am a total fan! She is a brilliant writer.

MR: This festival seems to offer a broad spectrum of talent. Is that what you found?

JC: I thought the talent was amazing. You’ve got everybody from up-and-comers like Davin McCoy all the way to legends like Randall Bramlett. There was actually so much going on that I was sad that some of the show times conflicted with my show, because I really wanted to go see as many people as I could. Jeffrey Steele is always so much fun to see play live, and of course you had The Bangles and John Oates, so the spectrum of artists I thought gave all music lovers something to see within the genre they enjoy.

MR: What was your favorite part of this year’s event?

JC: I always love to see so many creative types in one area. There were singer/songwriters and bands from all over the United States, including some from the area there in Florida, and it was fun to connect with different people and not just the same writers we run into here on Music Row. It reminds me that there are a lot of other artists walking down the same path, just trying to share their music with people.

MR: Describe the audience at the festival.

JC: I found the audience to be very sophisticated and so eager to hear music. They were intently listening to every word, and I would see people with their schedule all stretched out over a table at a restaurant mapping out their plan to see as many acts as they could. It’s so refreshing to see people who just love music that much. It gives us hope in this ever-changing industry that music still touches people. The CD may die and it may get harder and harder to get on radio, but one thing that is still going strong is live performance, and I can assure you that there are many, many people out there who still support that.

MR: Other than you, who was the craziest one there (we promise not to tell!)?

JC: Lord, you know with that many creative types all in one place, that’s a hard question because we are all somewhat crazy just to be doing this! I would have to say it was Tommy Womack. I wasn’t able to meet him but I did see him play in a round and he sang some of the craziest, funniest songs that I could tell were from personal experience! So I would have to say if he has lived half of what he’s singing about, his journey has been full of adventure!

MR: Do events like these offer opportunities that may lead to future writing collaborations? If so, anything in particular?

JC: I think for sure it will. Personally, I like to collaborate with artists and writers who have a similar musical style, which for me always leans towards the soulful side. It’s helpful to be able to see performers live and meet them in a setting like the after-party for this festival so you can get to know each other a little bit, as opposed to being thrown in a writing room with somebody you don’t know. Seeing them perform gives you a good idea if your musical styles work together. And getting to hang out lets you know if your personalities click, because half the time writing a song is about just enjoying the person you are in a room with. If it’s fun, you usually come out with a pretty cool song.

MR: Sounds like a great experience for both songwriters and music lovers. And if you’re jonesing for some Joanna, you can catch her playing 3rd & Lindsley on Fri., Feb. 3rd at 7:00 p.m.

Casey James To Release Debut Album

19 Recordings/BNA Records artist Casey James will release his self-titled debut album on March 20.

“I’m excited to be releasing my debut album,” says Casey. “I’m thankful that I had the freedom to make the record that represents me as a musician and singer-songwriter.”

“I played 11 years of hard gigs in every bar and restaurant in North Texas and not many people even knew my name,” he continues. “That being said, I’m very thankful to American Idol for the opportunities the show gave me. I could’ve released a record right when the season was over, but I wanted to make an album deserving of all the fans that put me in this position.”

Casey had a hand in writing nine of the album’s 11 tracks, including current single “Let’s Don’t Call It A Night,” and contributed guitar throughout. He also co-produced the album with Chris Lindsey, who co-wrote the album’s finale track “Miss Your Fire” with Casey and Aimee Mayo.

Casey James tracklist:
1. The Good Life (Casey James/Scooter Carusoe)
2. Crying On A Suitcase (Lee Thomas Miller/Tom Shapiro/Neil Thrasher)
3. Let’s Don’t Call It A Night (Casey James/Brice Long/Terry McBride)
4. Drive (Casey James/Brad Warren/Brett Warren)
5. Love The Way You Miss Me (Casey James/Brice Long/Terry McBride)
6. Undone (Casey James/Scooter Carusoe)
7. So Sweet (Casey James/Dallas Davidson/Patrick Davis)
8. She’s Money (Casey James/Jaren Johnston)
9. Tough Love (Casey James/Brett James/David Lee Murphy)
10. Workin’ On It (Bob DiPiero/Brandon Kinney/Daniel Tashian)
11. Miss Your Fire (Casey James/Chris Lindsey/Aimee Mayo)

Rethink Music Conference Offers Genesis Competition

Rethink Music’s second annual conference is scheduled to take place April 23-24 in Boston. Rethink Music describes itself as, “A hands-on conference designed to bring music stakeholders together to discuss business models for the future, examine copyright challenges in the digital era, and analyze technological innovation in music and its distribution. Centered around transforming the music industry, Rethink Music’s programming does not just focus on discussing change, but rather making it happen.” The conference is produced by Berklee College of Music and Midem in association with Harvard University’s Berkman Center for Internet and Society.

Panelists already added to the growing list for next spring include;
Chris Kaskie, President, Pitchfork
Kenneth Parks, Chief Content Officer, Spotify
Jim Lucchese, CEO, The Echo Nest
Rio Caraeff, President & CEO, VEVO
Cecily Mak, VP/General Counsel, Rhapsody International, Inc.
Jim Griffin, Managing Director OneHouse LLC
Anita Elberse, Associate Professor, Harvard Business School

This year Rethink Music has entered into a new partnership with Babson College to create the Genesis Project, a competition designed to recognise new concepts, technologies and businesses which can move the music industry forward. The competition is a key part of Rethink Music’s goal of fostering innovation and new ideas for the music industry. Submissions to the competition are open until March 15, 2012 and will be judged by Berklee College of Music faculty, Babson College faculty, industry executives and venture capitalists on their potential to become the basis of a viable new or improved venture or music business idea. Finalists will present their ideas at the Rethink Music conference in Boston on 23-24 April and Rethink Music will provide the winning project with $10,000 in legal services, additional in-kind awards, consulting services and meetings with venture capitalists.

Rethink Music will also host a Hacker’s Weekend April 21st & 22nd in Cambridge, MA at Microsoft’s New England Research & Development Center. (Microsoft N.E.R.D, 1 Memorial Drive, Cambridge, MA) This will be a weekend for developers, designers, programers, industry insiders and musicians to come together to create new and unique applications across many different platforms. Hackers will have the weekend to build their hack and the three best will be presented at the Rethink Music Conference.

Industry Celebrates Brantley Gilbert’s “Country Wide” No. 1

(L-R): Jon Freeman, Brantley Gilbert, Scott Borchetta and George Briner. Photo: Caitlin Rantala

Tuesday night (1/17), music industry professionals joined the Valory Music Co. in congratulating Brantley Gilbert on his first no. 1 hit as an artist, “Country Must Be Country Wide.” The party gathered at Cabana in Nashville, where Gilbert and the single’s songwriters Colt Ford and Mike Dekle were honored.

BMI’s Clay Bradley shared that each time he hears the chorus “In every state, there’s a station / Playing Cash, Hank, Willie and Waylon,” he gets, what he referred to as, the “Music City measles,” causing the hair on the back of his neck to rise. ASCAP’s Marc Driskill and Big Machine Label Group Pres./CEO Scott Borchetta also shared Bradley’s enthusiasm for the song, as they each handed out their congratulatory plaques.

MusicRow also presented the country singer with a no. 1 plaque. Jon Freeman, managing editor and chart director of MusicRow did the honors, noting that “Country Must Be Country Wide” went no. 1 on MusicRow’s CountryBreakout Chart on Oct 27, 2011.

Dekle, Ford and Gilbert each shared their gratitude with the crowd.

(L-R): ASCAP’s Marc Driskill, Average ZJs Music Publishing’s Noah Gordon, producer Dann Huff, co-writers Colt Ford and Mike Dekle, Brantley Gilbert, Big Machine Label Group President/CEO Scott Borchetta, Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corporation’s Steve Markland, and BMI’s Clay Bradley. Photo by Eric England

“I cried like you hit me with a trace train,” Dekle said, referring to the first time he heard Gilbert’s “Country Must Be Country Wide.”

Ford teared up for a moment when he was given the mic. He expressed how happy he was to see Gilbert greeted with so much success.

But Gilbert was quick to pass the credit on, pointing into the audience to single out his band members. “I’ve got the best band in world,” he said proudly of the musicians, who not only tour with him but also play on his album.

While “Country Must Be Country Wide,” produced by Dann Huff, is Gilbert’s first no. 1 as an artist, it’s not the first time his talent has been recognized. Gilbert also wrote Jason Aldean’s “My Kind Of Party” and “Dirt Road Anthem.” Both songs reached no. 1 status.

After the celebration, Gilbert was headed out of town with Eric Church Blood, Sweat and Beers Tour. The tour kicks off today (1/19) in Fort Smith, AR.

Trace Adkins Announces Songs & Stories Tour

Trace Adkins

Trace Adkins announced his Songs & Stories Tour today (Jan. 23), which will visit U.S. theaters throughout the Spring incorporating performances and stories about Adkins’ roots. Fan club pre-sale tickets for the March dates are  available today. Scheduled dates appear below.

Adkins 10th studio album, Proud To Be Here, was released last summer with a CMT Invitation Only special that inspired the intimate tour.

“I’ve had many narrow escapes and blessings in my life,” said Adkins. “The right song at the right time has been my saving grace and that’s something I have in common with the audience. Sharing meaningful songs, stories and some laughs ‘around the campfire’ is the Country music tradition and I’m looking forward to it.”

Fans will also be able to share personal stories and ask questions about Adkins’ songs that shaped their lives. Tickets for March dates will go on sale to the public Friday, Jan. 27. April and May dates will be available Feb. 3.

Songs & Stories Spring 2012 (more dates expected to be announced):

March 8                       Des Moines IA                         Hoyt Sherman
March 9                       Kansas City MO          Midland Theater
March 10                     Peoria IL                      Civic Theater
March 15                     Milwaukee WI                         Riverside Theater
March 16                     Rochester MN              Mayo Civic Theater
March 17                     Grand Forks ND          Chester Fritz Auditorium
March 22                     Birmingham AL           Alabama Theatre
April 12                       Ashland KY                 Paramount Arts Center
April 14                       Toledo OH                   Stranahan Theater
April 18                       Louisville KY              The Palace Theatre
April 19                       Spartanburg SC            Memorial Hall
April 20                       Charlotte NC                Ovens Auditorium
April 25                       Denver CO                  Paramount Theater
April 27                       Salinas KS                   Stiefel Theater
April 28                       Tulsa OK                     Brady Theater
May 3                          N. Charleston SC         North Charleston Performing Arts Center
May 4                          Savannah GA              Mercer Theater
May 10                        Davenport IA               Adler Theatre
May 11                        South Bend IN             Morris PAC
May 12                        Memphis TN                Orpheum Theatre
May 17                        Atlanta GA                  Cobb Theater

ACM Nominations Coming Thursday

Academy of Country Music Award nominations will be revealed Thursday (1/26) at 6:30 a.m./PT, 8:30 a.m. CT.

In keeping with the Academy’s ever-growing fan engagement initiatives, the nominees will be announced for the first time via a digital press conference on the Academy’s social media channels. Reba, who is set to host the 47th annual ACM Awards with Blake Shelton, will read the nominations and will be joined by surprise guests. Some categories will be revealed via pre-taped video message and some will be announced in text.

The press conference will culminate with country music fans announcing the nominees for Entertainer of the Year, a fan-voted award.

Beginning today fans are invited to visit the ACM YouTube Channel at www.youtube.com/acmcountry to learn how to post videos announcing the name of the artist(s) they would like to see receive an Entertainer of the Year nomination. On Thursday during the real-time digital press conference fans can watch to see if their video submission is used to announce their pick for the Academy’s biggest prize.

Following the announcement, nominee reaction videos will be posted throughout the day.

The ACM Awards, Country Music’s Party of the Year®, will be broadcast live from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas Sunday, April 1, 2012 at 8:00 PM live ET/delayed PT on the CBS Television Network.

ACM on Facebook: facebook.com/AcademyOfCountryMusic
ACM on Twitter: twitter.com/ACMawards

Weblinks: Top “Idol” Earners, Facebook/Vevo, Haggard

As a new season of American Idol gets underway, Forbes lists the Top Earning Idol winners and contestants from previous years. Not surprisingly, Carrie Underwood comes in at No. 1 by a landslide, with $20 million in earnings during the measurement period.

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Facebook is having preliminary talks with music video service Vevo to replace YouTube as the platform’s host. More from CNET.

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Merle Haggard was released from the hospital on Friday (1/20) follow a bout with pneumonia. As previously reported, the 74-year-old has canceled tour dates through the end of the month.

McGraw Strikes Gold with “Felt Good On My Lips”

Tim McGraw’s recent no. 1 single “Felt Good On My­­ Lips” has struck digital download gold, with digital sales exceeding 500,000 units. A collaborative creative effort from songwriters Brett Beavers, Jim Beavers and Brett and Brad Warren, “Felt Good On My Lips” was produced by McGraw and Byron Gallimore.

The good news comes as McGraw’s new studio album, Emotional Traffic (Curb Records), is slated for release tomorrow (1/24). “Felt Good On My Lips” is included on the album.

Following the release of Emotional Traffic, McGraw will join Kenny Chesney on the Brothers of the Sun Tour in June. The coast-to-coast large arena concert schedule will hit more than twenty major market venues between June and August. Markets already confirmed include Tampa, Atlanta, Dallas, Philadelphia, Nashville, Charlotte, Pittsburgh, Chicago, Denver, Detroit, Anaheim, and Washington, DC.

Music City Songwriting Competition Adds Black River VP

Nashville Convention & Visitors Bureau has added Black River Entertainment VP of A&R, Doug Johnson to the listening panel. Johnson will review all songs submitted or postmarked between Jan. 27-29, and the writer of his top pick will be given the opportunity to perform before one of Black River artist Craig Morgan’s 2012 shows. Entries for the amateur songwriting competition will continue to be accepted through Jan. 31.

The competition will be narrowed to the top 25 entries to be judged based on melody, composition, originality, lyrics and commercial appeal by a panel including Morgan, Tim Nichols, Mike Sistad, Alex Torrez, Storme Warren and Butch Spyridon.

The winner will recieve $1,000 cash, five nights admission and airfare for two to Nashville’s CMA Music Fest with an interview on GAC and Sirius XM. A mentoring session from Craig Morgan will be offered along with a feature in American Songwriter, a co-write session, demo recording session and a single song publishing deal with Black River Entertainment.

Johnson has had over 100 cuts and seven No. 1s and worked with the careers of Patty Loveless, Collin Raye, Doug Stone, Joe Diffie, Ty Herndon, Clay Walker, Blake Shelton, Tim McGraw, Leann Rimes, Wynonna and Lee Brice.

Songs are accepted by mail or mp3 online for $25. Additional songs for $15. All entries receive a copy of Morgan’s upcoming CD.