BMG To Represent Rolling Stones Catalogue

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The Rolling Stones. Photo: PA

The legendary Rolling Stones have selected BMG to represent their music publishing catalogue. Starting July 1, BMG will handle publishing for songs written by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards since 1983. ABKCO maintains ownership of the Stones’ 1963-1971 catalog and EMI Music Publishing owns the 1971-1983 catalog.

The songs to be directly published by BMG span the albums Dirty Work (1986), Steel Wheels (1989), Voodoo Lounge (1994), Bridges To Babylon (1997) and A Bigger Bang (2005) as well as future compositions. They include classic Stones tracks such as “Mixed Emotions,” “Love Is Strong,” “You Got Me Rocking” and “Doom And Gloom.”
“This deal is incredibly important for BMG,” says BMG CEO Hartwig Masuch. “Keith and Mick have clearly created one of the most outstanding song collections in rock ‘n’ roll history. They have not only created the soundtrack of all of our lives, they have been a dynamic and constant force for cultural change. They could sign to any company they wanted to. The fact that they have chosen to sign with BMG is a significant vote of confidence in our team and in our creative and administration services. We will justify their trust in us.”
The Rolling Stones are currently in the US performing on their 50 & Counting Tour.

DISClaimer: Sizzling Music For A Hot Summer

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the henningsens11

The Henningsens


Hot enough for you? Summer weather has arrived in Middle Tennessee a little later this year, but no less muggy and oppressive than usual. Appropriately, our disc makers are turning up the heat as well. In this column, you’ll find outstanding work, tailored to the season, from Craig Morgan, Tim McGraw, Philip Claypool and Mark McKinney. The duet of Sherry Lynn and Crystal Gayle is also cooking with gas. Our Disc of the Day award goes to a non-summer themed outing, “I Miss You” by The Henningsens. These three folks sound starward bound with this dynamic single. Sidewalk Records is a Curb imprint that is introducing our DisCovery Award winner, a promising singer-songwriter named Dylan Scott. So bon voyage to him.
GRETCHEN WILSON/Crazy
Writers: Vicky McGehee/Rachel Farley/Brian Davis; Producer: Gretchen Wilson; Peermusic III/February 4/Rockin Rose/Mike Curb, BMI; Redneck (track)
-She sings so well. Why bury her performance with grinding, wailing electric guitars?
SHERRY KENNEDY/Mama, He Treats Your Daughter Mean
Writers: Lance/Singleton/Wallace; Producer: Mark Moseley; Publisher: Sony, no performance rights listed; Sheaken (CDX)
-Ruth Brown, who sang the original 1955 r&b version of this, was known as “Miss Rhythm.” This must be “Miss Anti-Rhythm.”
CRAIG MORGAN/Wake Up Lovin’ You
Writers: Josh Osborne/Matt Ramsey/Trevor Rosen; Producer: none listed; Publishers: Want a Fresh One/Black River/Music of RPM/Sonic Geo/Unfair Entertainment/Songs of Bims/Calhoun Enterprises, ASCAP; Black River
-This steady stomper begins with the sound of an alarm clock, and the production work is stellar throughout. Yet nothing detracts from his completely gripping, electrifying vocal performance. This guy gets to me every time. Play him.
TIM SWEENEY/Baby I Try For You
Writer: Tim Sweeney; Producer: Kim Copeland; Publisher: Tim Sweeney, BMI; Old House (track)
-He sings in an earnest, airy tenor. The ballad is bland.
TIM MCGRAW/Southern Girl
Writers: Jaren Johnston/Lee Thomas Miller/Rodney Clawson; Producers: Byron Gallimore and Tim McGraw; Publishers: Sony-ATV Harmony/Texa Rae/Writers of Sea Gayle/Itchy Baby/Big Red Toe/Amarillo Sky, ASCAP/BMI; Big Machine (track)
-The bouncy song name-checks New Orleans, Tupelo, Memphis, Savannah, Daytona and other Dixie spots while praising the virtues of Southern ladies. But Tim’s personable vocal and the catchy, effects-dotted production are the real stars here.
Dylan Scott

Dylan Scott


DYLAN SCOTT/Makin’ This Boy Go Crazy
Writers: Dylan Scott/Forest Glen Whitehead; Producer: Jim Ed Norman; Publishers: Curb/Want a Fresh One/Black River, ASCAP; Sidewalk
-He’s a country baritone effortlessly negotiating tongue-tripping verses and then rounding the corners into the choruses with terrific elan and confidence. Absolutely worth your spins.
PHILIP CLAYPOOL/Strong One
Writers: Philip Claypool/Jeff Silbar; Producer: Michael Lloyd; Publishers: Heyday/Silbar, BMI/ASCAP; Heyday
-This former Curb artist of the 1990s is back with a chin-up, positive-think rocker. I love his drawling phrasing on this driving, relentless production. The icing on the cake is that it is extremely well-written.
SHERRY LYNN AND CRYSTAL GAYLE/Beautiful Life
Writers: Danny Wells/Jose Luis Pagan/Sarah Lenore; Producers: Ted Hewitt & Christos Gatzimos; Publishers: Cauley Music Group/BMG Chrysalis/Songs of Universal/Money Mack/Warner-Tamerlane, BMI; Steal Heart
-Sherry and Crystal trade lines with equal fire and finesse on this dandy country-rocker. It’s a really commercial and radio-ready toe-tapper. Co-producer Gatzimos is Crystal’s grown-up son.
THE HENNINGSENS/I Miss You
Writers: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Producer: none listed; Arista (track)
-This family trio latches onto this driving, thumping slab of wistful longing with enormous energy. The vocals are simply stunning, and the backing track has superb intensity and pent-up power. The finale, three-part harmony chord will break your heart.
MARK McKINNEY/Stolen Cash
Writer: none listed; Producer: Eric McKinney and Mark McKinney; Publisher: none listed; MM
-It’s a gently rolling, easy-going, good-time thang. The catchy ditty is about falling giddy in love while summering at the beach. It goes down mighty smoothly.

2013 MusicRow Award Winners

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Jimmy Yeary (L) and Jessi Alexander perform Song of the Year "I Drive Your Truck," which they wrote with Connie Harrington.

Jimmy Yeary (L) and Jessi Alexander perform Song of the Year “I Drive Your Truck,” which they wrote with Connie Harrington.


Kacey Musgraves accepts Breakthrough Artist of the Year.

Kacey Musgraves accepts Breakthrough Artist of the Year.


Photos by Isabel Ross
MusicRow Magazine presented its 25th annual subscriber-voted MusicRow Awards on June 25 during a ceremony hosted by ASCAP at the organization’s Nashville offices. The awards event, led by MusicRow Publisher and Owner Sherod Robertson, recognized the 2013 Breakthrough Artist, Breakthrough Songwriter, Song of the Year and Producer of the Year. Additionally, Top Ten Album All-Star Musician Awards were presented to session players who performed on the most top ten albums during the eligibility period.
25th Annual MusicRow Award Winners
Breakthrough Songwriter—Kacey Musgraves (co-writer of “Merry Go ‘Round,” “Mama’s Broken Heart”)
Producer of the Year—Dann Huff (Hunter Hayes, The Band Perry, Brantley Gilbert, Rascal Flatts, Kelly Clarkson)
Breakthrough Artist—Kacey Musgraves
Song of the Year (tie)—“I Drive Your Truck,” by Jessi Alexander, Connie Harrington, and Jimmy Yeary (published by Vistaville Music/Happy Tears Music/EMI Blackwood/Watch This Girl Publishing/Great Day At This Time Music/Beattyville Music)
—“Merry Go ‘Round,” by Kacey Musgraves, Josh Osborne, and Shane McAnally (published by 351 Music/Warner Tamerlane Publishing/Crazy Water Music/Little Blue Egg/Universal Music Corporation/Want A Fresh One)

Top 10 Album All-Star Musician Awards
Vocals—Wes Hightower
Keys—Charles Judge
Guitar—Ilya Toshinsky
Steel—(tie) Dan Dugmore and Paul Franklin
Bass—Jimmie Lee Sloas
Fiddle—(tie) Jonathan Yudkin, Larry Franklin, and Stuart Duncan
Drums—(tie) Greg Morrow and Shannon Forrest
Engineer—Justin NiebankAn in-depth look at the award recipients can be found in MusicRow’s June/July 2013 print edition, available now.MRAwardsLogo In addition, the magazine features an exclusive interview with music video director Shaun Silva, owner of Tacklebox Films and Forward, revealing his desire to push the envelope as he and his team expand into new territories. The issue also offers a one-on-one conversation with fashion icon Manuel, who discusses his career and how at age 75, he is launching a new line to help his students showcase their own designs.
Single copies of the awards issue are available for purchase at musicrow.com for $10, and are included with yearly subscriptions at no additional cost. The MusicRow Awards are one of three annual events hosted by MusicRow. Others include Rising Women on the Row and the CountryBreakout Awards.
Dann Huff is honored as Producer of the Year by (L-R): MusicRow's Sherod Robertson, Sarah Skates and Eric Parker

Dann Huff is honored as Producer of the Year by (L-R): MusicRow’s Sherod Robertson, Sarah Skates and Eric Parker

Signings and Hirings

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• Still Working Music has signed songwriter Ryan Lafferty. Lafferty, a West Virginia native, moved to Nashville in the summer of 2012; he is currently recording with producer Jeff Stevens. “I am so excited to be working with Ryan,” says Chief Creative Officer Tommy Lee James. “He is not only an amazing singer but a great asset to our writing team over here at Still Working.”

Pictured (L-R): Daniel Lee, Senior Creative Director BMG Chrysalis; Alex Orbison, President Still Working Music; Kendall Lettow, Creative Director Still Working Music; Ryan Lafferty ;Kos Weaver, EVP BMG Chrysalis; Tommy Lee James, Chief Creative Officer Still Working Music; Scott Safford, Lafferty's lawyer, Safford-Motley.

Pictured (L-R): Daniel Lee, Senior Creative Director, BMG Chrysalis; Alex Orbison, President, Still Working Music; Kendall Lettow, Creative Director, Still Working Music; Ryan Lafferty; Kos Weaver, EVP, BMG Chrysalis; Tommy Lee James, Chief Creative Officer, Still Working Music; Scott Safford, Lafferty’s attorney, Safford-Motley.

 

brandon perdue

Brandon Perdue


• Catch This Music LLC (CTM) has hired in-house audio engineer Brandon Perdue. Perdue, a 2006 Belmont University graduate, spent three years as a production coordinator and assistant engineer for producer Blake Chancey. He also worked at Chancey’s RPM Music Group, managing the publishing catalog and serving as an in-house engineer.
Since 2010, Perdue has also produced and engineering independently, recording and developing acts. “Brandon has a terrific track record, and Catch This Music is very excited to be welcoming him on as an in-house audio engineer,” says CEO Eddie Robba. “We know his contributions to the team will be essential to future CTM projects.”
farewell drifters 2013 photo•Folk-rock quartet Farewell Drifters has signed to Compass Records. The group is currently preparing their album Tomorrow Forever for a fall 2013 release.
“We are super pumped about this new record and felt that it really deserved the added energy of a label behind it. That is why we are so excited to partner with Compass, one of the premier independent roots labels,” says lead singer and guitarist Zach Bevill. “Together, we have a vision for where this record could go and how to take it there. It’s a great time to be a part of this band!”
 

Little Jimmy Dickens To Begin Short-Term Radiation Treatments

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Little Jimmy Dickens performs on the Grand Ole Opry.


Grand Ole Opry icon Jimmy Dickens, 92, is set to begin three weeks of short-term radiation treatments for a pre-cancerous condition on his vocal cords next week. The Opry member’s doctors expect him to make a full recovery.
“I can’t begin to express my sincere gratitude for the thoughts and prayers that are being sent my way,” Dickens said. “My family and I appreciate the support, and I can’t wait to return home to the stage of the Grand Ole Opry in one of my favorite rhinestone suits someday soon.”
The entertainer has been unable to perform on the Grand Ole Opry stage for most of this year. His most recent scheduled Opry appearance was on Dec. 22, 2012, and he also made a surprise appearance on the Opry stage on April 12.
Dickens became a Grand Ole Opry member in 1948 and was elected to the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1983. Among his hit songs are “Take An Old Cold Tater (And Wait),” “Country Boy,” “Out Behind The Barn” and “May The Bird Of Paradise Fly Up Your Nose.”
Cards and well wishes can be sent to the address below:
Jimmy Dickens
c/o Grand Ole Opry House
2804 Opryland Drive
Nashville, TN 37214

Former MTV Networks CEO McGrath Joins Sony Music

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judy mcgrath 2013

Judy McGrath


Judy McGrath, former MTV Networks CEO, has joined Sony Music to create an entertainment production division inside the music major label. According to the New York Post, the venture has been named Astronauts Wanted: No Experience Necessary. The unit will focus on developing content aimed at young viewers, reaching across all platforms, including television and the internet. McGrath says the content will go beyond music.
Beginning in 2004, McGrath was responsible for the cable lineup for MTV, Comedy Central and Nickelodeon. She is credited with introducing reality television fare to the network, including popular programs Real World and Jersey Shore. McGrath departed MTV Networks in May 2011.
McGrath has worked at Sony Music’s headquarters for the past several months, but did not sign a formal contract until this past weekend.

Eagles Catalog Becomes Available On Subscription Music Services

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The Eagles

The Eagles


As of Tuesday (June 25), the Eagles catalog will be available to subscription music services including Spotify, Rhapsody, Rdio and Deezer. Nine Eagles titles available for streaming include Their Greatest Hits 1971-1975, Eagles Greatest Hits Volume 2, Hotel California and The Long Run.
The release of the catalog to subscription services comes after the group’s catalog appeared, then disappeared from Rdio in May 2013.
The Eagles were part of a small number of prominent artists still holding out from subscription services, including The Beatles, Led Zepplin, AC/DC and Garth Brooks (who signed an exclusive retail agreement with Walmart in 2005).

Dan Hodges Music Signs Deal with Songwriter Jonathan Cain

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Songwriter Jonathan Cain has inked a catalog representation agreement with Dan Hodges Music, LLC. Cain is best-known as a keyboardist and long-time member of the band Journey. Cain has been awarded two BMI Songwriting awards (for “Open Arms” and  “Who’s Crying Now”), as well as “The Diamond Award” (commemorating sales of more than 10 million).
Cain’s songs have been recorded by Michael Bolton, Sammy Hagar, Kenny Rogers, Heart, Gregg Allman, Conway Twitty, The Oak Ridge Boys, Colin Raye, Lorrie Morgan and Mariah Carey.
“We were introduced to Jonathan’s attorney and administrator, Jerry Butler, by our shared S. African sub-publisher, Geoff Paynter, on the last night of MIDEM earlier this year in Cannes,” says Dan Hodges. “Jerry put the deal together and we so appreciate the opportunity to work with both Jonathan and his daughter, Madison Cain, as she pursues music with both a God-given talent and the support of her dad. It will be exciting to see what we can accomplish for everyone involved in this camp. Jonathan is a class act and his enthusiasm is endless.”
Dan Hodges Music can be reached at 615-401-7399.

Pictured (L-R): Jonathan Cain and Dan Hodges working on demos at Cain's Addiction Sound Studios located in Berry Hill, Nashville.

Pictured (L-R): Jonathan Cain and Dan Hodges working on demos at Cain’s Addiction Sound Studios located in Berry Hill, Nashville.

Festival News: Delta Country Jam, Smoky Mountains Songwriters Festival

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songwriters festivalSinger-songwriters will fill East Tennessee with music as part of the Smoky Mountains Songwriters Festival  on Aug. 15-18 in Gatlinburg, Tenn. This year’s lineup will include songwriters Bill Labounty (“Rock My World,” Brooks and Dunn), Kim Williams (“Ain‘t Goin’ Down Till The Sun Comes Up,” Garth Brooks), Bobby Tomberlin (“One More Day,” Diamond Rio), Mark Nesler (“Just To See You Smile,” Tim McGraw), Chris Wallin (“Don’t Blink,” Kenny Chesney), Marty Dodson (“We Must Be Doing Something Right,” Billy Currington) and Clay Mills (“Beautiful Mess,” by Diamond Rio).
This year’s festival will also feature the SMSWF 2013 Band Playoff at 3 Jimmy’s, where the top 20 bands will compete and finalists for the Songwriters Competition will perform Aug. 17 at the Edgewater Hotel. Songwriter workshop sessions will also be offered during the festival. For more information, visit smswf.com.

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delta country jam11The First Annual Delta Country Jam, held in Tunica, Miss. on Oct. 4-5, has added Billy Currington, Kellie Pickler, Randy Houser and others to the star-packed line-up. They will join previously announced headliner Tim McGraw, plus Brantley Gilbert, Jerrod Niemann, Thompson Square and Josh Thompson. Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased through Ticketmaster.
 

48th Annual ACM Awards Engage Millions Of Fans

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acmDuring the 48th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards week in Las Vegas, ACM artists, events, sponsors and digital and media platforms reached 160,000 Vegas fans and millions of viewers. The ACM Awards (held April 7) and ACM Presents: Tim McGraw’s Superstar Summer Night (which aired May 19) were viewed by approximately 23 million fans combined.
“We had our highest ratings in 15 years, and one of the best moments in the history of our show with the Dick Clark tribute performance, featuring George Strait and Garth Brooks,” said Academy of Country Music CEO Bob Romeo. “Two of the most accomplished performers in country honoring one of the Academy’s ‘founding fathers.’ Dick was one of the early hosts of the show, and a driving force in our organization for so many years. It’s this kind of special moment that helped us captivate the audience and demonstrated the level that we were striving for this year.”
The ACM Awards featured performances by Jason Aldean, Brooks, Luke Bryan, Kenny Chesney, Eric Church, Kelly Clarkson, McGraw, Taylor Swift, Carrie Underwood, Keith Urban and more. According to SocialGuide, the awards had fans Tweeting 6,200 times per minute.