Zavitson Music Group Introduces MusicPubWorks

zavitson music groupZavitson Music Group has produced MusicPubWorks, a cloud-based web application that provides a streamlined service for managing cataloging, registering, pitching and song revenue collections in a single dashboard.
“MPW was developed by music professionals for music professionals,” said Russ Zavitson, founder of Zavitson Music Group, and a long-time pioneer in Nashville’s extended music community. “Our goal was to build a tool that functions on a variety of levels, from the most comprehensive to the most basic. Regardless of how you are tied to the business, there is something in this software that will make your job easier to perform and help you be more effective performing it.”
Denise Zavitson, along with lead developer Kenny House, designed the software with a tiered structure, providing cost-efficiency and various levels of engagement. The software allows custom branding for each user, allowing both larger organizations and independent songwriters to maintain brand standards.
Acoustic fingerprinting technology has been incorporated into the system at a root level to enable rapid deployment of song tracking from date of creation.
The different tiers include EZ Songwriter (the most basic version), Songwriter Pro (created for established and emerging songwriters), Publisher (a one-stop creative rights management solution covering everything from song submission to royalty tracking), Accounting (which accepts and calculates digital, mechanical, performance and sync royalty statements) and Admin (which organizes and manages complex client catalogs).
For more information, visit musicpubworks.com.

Bigger Picture Group Teams With DMG For Music Licensing

bigger picture groupDisney Music Group (DMG) will now exclusively handle music licensing for Nashville based company Bigger Picture Group. DMG will represent Bigger Picture Group’s music masters from artists including Blackjack Billy, Chris Janson, Craig Campbell, Rachel Bradshaw, Ryan Kinder and Smithfield. In addition, DMG will handle copyright catalogs from Songs of Bigger Picture Group’s songwriters, for licensing deals ranging from films to advertising placement.
“I am thrilled to have Dominic Griffin and the Disney Music Group team represent our talented Bigger Picture Group artists and songwriters for music licensing and look forward to achieving great success together,” says Songs of Bigger Picture President, Alan Kates.
“We are equally thrilled to be representing this incredible roster of writers and performers. Our Team can’t wait to share this amazing music with our music supervisors,” adds Dominic Griffin, VP, Licensing for Disney Music Group.

BMG Chrysalis US Forms Joint Venture With Darrell Franklin

BMG_Chrysalis1BMG Chrysalis US has announced a new joint venture with music industry veteran Darrell Franklin called Franklin Publishing & Writer Management. Franklin formerly served as head of the BMG Nashville office after the purchase of Crosstown Songs, which was a publishing partnership with longtime business partner, Dann Huff.
The initial signing to the joint venture is Chris Wallin, who has had success with chart-topping country artists including Toby Keith, Montgomery Gentry, Kenny Chesney, Trace Adkins and Brad Paisley.
“I think that the Nashville publishing and writing community has always been built on the development of talent and I am very excited to be getting back to doing that in this new JV with BMG,” said Franklin.
Kos Weaver, EVP at BMG Chrysalis Nashville, commented, “Darrell has a great track record, having developed strong songwriters such as Jonathan Singleton, busbee, Brandon Hood, Melissa Peirce and John Paul White (of the Civil Wars) and I have no doubt any signing will flourish under this joint venture.”

Artist Updates (11/14/13)

jack white1Jack White’s Third Man Records is running the Great Third Man Turkey Drive to aid the Nashville Rescue Mission’s annual turkey drive. The Nashville Rescue Mission aims to collect 1,o00 turkeys and other Thanksgiving food.
Each person donating a turkey at Third Man Records and Novelties will receive a 7″ of their choice. The offer exclude limited edition and specialty discs. A photo of the donator will also be added to Third Man’s wall of fame. To further up the ante, the donator who gives the most turkeys will get a rare Dead Weather Driple Decker record.
Third Man Records will also accept up to $25 of non-perishable food items and/or winter clothing in lieu of a turkey.

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jerrod niemann1Sea Gayle Records/Arista Nashville recording artist Jerrod Niemann and has teamed with online music service FratMusic to offer a selection of songs for college students to celebrate the launch of Niemann’s new single, “Drink To That All Night.” Personally crafted by Niemann, the “Drink To That All Night” playlist features songs of all styles, available on FratMusic’s popular smartphone app.
Founded at the University of Virginia in 2010, FratMusic provides the soundtrack for college parties, tailgates, and late-night dance sessions across the United States.

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Sarabeth and Lonestar


Texas performer SaraBeth is preparing to hit the road with Country group Lonestar for select cities of the tour that kicks off Feb. 6 in Scottsdale, Ariz. Circle S Records released her debut album, Anything Is Possible, this month, featuring 13 brand new tracks.
For a full list of tour dates, visit sarabethmusic.com.

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sarah darling christmas album11 Sarah Darling has teamed with her longtime Musical Director Steve Gibson for a four song Christmas E.P., Have A Merry Little Christmas Darling. The project will release on iTunes on Tuesday, Nov. 19.
The EP will feature the classics “The Christmas Song,” “I’ll Be Home For Christmas,” “Silent Night,” and a cover of Joni Mitchell’s “River.”
In other Darling news, it is confirmed that the singer-songwriter wed graphic designer James Muriel during an informal ceremony in April 2013. The newlyweds are planning a large Nashville wedding in May 2014.

SiriusXM Radio To Air Private Florida Georgia Line Concert

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Florida Georgia Line


SiriusXM Radio will welcome duo Florida Georgia Line to perform at The Troubadour in Los Angeles at an exclusive invitation-only concert for SiriusXM listeners on Monday, Nov. 25. The private concert will be broadcast on Wednesday, Nov. 27 at 8 p.m. ET via satellite on The Highway (channel 59), through SiriusXM’s Internet Radio app, and online at siriusxm.com.
The Highway first played Florida Georgia Line’s hit “Cruise” in May 2012, before the duo signed to Big Machine Label Group. In December 2012, Florida Georgia Line performed as part of SiriusXM’s “Superfan Concert” series, a series of intimate performances for SiriusXM listeners.
“Hearing ‘Cruise’ on The Highway for the first time is a bucket list moment we will never forget,” says Florida Georgia Line’s Tyler Hubbard. Florida Georgia Line’s Brian Kelley adds, “We are incredibly thankful to SiriusXM for all of the support they have given us and are excited to bring the good times to their listeners!”

George Jones To Get Nashville Monument

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George Jones


A monument to the late Country music legend George Jones will be unveiled at Woodlawn Roesch-Patton Funeral Home and Memorial Park on Monday, Nov. 18. The event, which is open to the public, will begin at 3:30 p.m. and will feature a special announcement from Nancy Jones.
Woodlawn Roesch-Patton Funeral Home and Memorial Park is located at 660 Thompson Lane in Nashville.
A talent list for the upcoming Playin’ Possum! The final NO SHOW tribute event was recently released; the sold-out concert will be held Nov. 22 at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena.
Jones died on April 26, 2013.

Keith Urban To Debut New Video For "We Were Us" On Facebook

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Miranda Lambert and Keith Urban film “We Were Us” video
Photo: Andy Snyder/Guitar Monkey

The video for Keith Urban‘s new single, “We Were Us,” featuring Miranda Lambert, will make its world debut on Friday (Nov. 15) at 7:30 p.m. ET on Urban’s Facebook page. The premiere will be followed by a Facebook chat with Urban where he’ll answer questions about the making of the clip, his new album Fuse, and his Fuse tour.

The new video was filmed on location before a live audience at Edna’s bar in Oklahoma City and directed by Becky Fluke and Reid Long.

Justin Moore Celebrates Fourth Number One At Nashville Bash

( l-r): ASCAP's Mike Sistad, This Music's Rusty Gaston, co-writer Ross Copperman, BMI's Perry Howard, Sony ATV Music Publishing Josh Van Valkenburg, and producer Jeremy Stover; (front row, l-r): co-writer Rhett Akins, Justin Moore, co-writer Ben Hayslip, and Big Machine Label Group's Scott Borchetta

Pictured (L-R): ASCAP’s Mike Sistad, This Music’s Rusty Gaston, co-writer Ross Copperman, BMI’s Perry Howard, Sony ATV Music Publishing Josh Van Valkenburg, and producer Jeremy Stover; (Front row, L-R): co-writer Rhett Akins, Justin Moore, co-writer Ben Hayslip, and Big Machine Label Group’s Scott Borchetta. Photo: Rick Diamond


Valory Music Co.’s Justin Moore celebrated his latest chart-topping hit, “Point At You” yesterday afternoon at the Stage in downtown Nashville with industry members and friends. The single is the fourth No. 1 for Moore, and is featured on his Off The Beaten Path CD.
Penned by Rhett Akins, Ben Hayslip, and Ross Copperman, the single marked Copperman’s first time to top the charts.

Through The Lens (11/14/13)

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Pictured (L-R): Taylor York of Paramore, Ryan Lewis, Macklemore, Clear Channel’s Tom Poleman, Gavin DeGraw and Paramore’s Hayley Williams and Jeremy Davis
Photo credit: Doug Sonders for iHeartRadio

• Musicians On Call honored Clear Channel President of National Programming Tom Poleman Tuesday night (Nov. 12) at Gotham Hall in New York City for his longstanding commitment to his belief in the healing power of music. Paramore and Gavin DeGraw performed at the event, which was attended by artists like Macklemore & Ryan Lewis. The organization brings music to the bedsides of patients across the U.S.

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Pictured (L-R): Natalie Stovall, Keith Urban, Ella Mae Brown

Natalie Stovall and Ella Mae Brown join Keith Urban for a little down time and fun last week at his Instagram party following the rush of CMA week.

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Parmalee perform their latest single at the ACM office
Photo: Michel Bourquard/Courtesy of the Academy of Country Music

 • Parmalee stopped by the Academy of Country Music offices in Encino, Calif. last month to perform their current Top 10 single, “Carolina,” and songs from their upcoming new CD, Feels Like Carolina, due out Dec. 10th.

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Doug Gray of the Marshall Tucker Band

• On Veteran’s Day the Marshall Tucker Band‘s Doug Gray proves to his daughter Mariah that he can still fit into his Army uniform more than 40 years later, causing Mariah to lose a bet with her dad and have to buy lunch!

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American Young with Bob Romeo of the ACM

• American Young recently visited the ACM offices while they were in Los Angeles last month, performing their debut single, “Love is War.”

Kip Moore Gives Early Look Inside His 'World'

kip moore1Singer-songwriter Kip Moore brought the Nashville music industry out on a chilly evening (Nov. 13) to the historic Franklin Theatre in Franklin, Tenn. The crowd, composed of industry members and a select group of fans, got an early look at Moore’s upcoming sophomore album, through both a new documentary and through an acoustic set.
The Life In Rewind Films documentary, Burn The Whole World Down, gives a glimpse at the singer-songwriter’s life, both onstage and off. More than anything, it captures Moore’s intense passion for music and songwriting. After moving to Nashville to pursue his songwriting dreams, the 33-year-old says he purposefully lived in a $200/month apartment with no heat and, at times, no water. “I decided to work just enough to allow me to spend most of my time writing everyday,” said Moore.
Now, even with three consecutive chart-topping hits from his debut album, Moore still maintains a minimalist life, spending most of his time in the recording studio with producer and co-writer Brett James, and living the nomadic life of a traveling musician. Moore even invited viewers into the decidedly sparse, college dorm-esque room he inhabits while he’s in Nashville. “I’m writing the best I ever have because I still feel like I’m at the bottom,” said Moore. The documentary also showcased the intense focus Moore displays in the studio as he helps craft each song to perfection layer by layer, as well as his goofy side when he’s on the road with his long-time band.
The Georgia native did a Q&A with industry members and fans after the documentary. “I didn’t realize the pressure and the business that comes with it,” Moore says of adjusting to life in the public eye. “There’s so much gossip around your name and everything gets exaggerated. I’m starting to learn that’s the way it is and there’s nothing I can do about it, so I have to roll with it.”
Equal to his love of music is his love of the ocean. The documentary highlights Moore’s various trips to locales such as Hawaii and most recently Costa Rica, relaxed locations that allow him to recharge, contemplate new songs, and indulge in his love of surfing.
After the documentary screening, Moore treated the Franklin Theater audience to a brief acoustic set, combining familiar singles such as “Beer Money” and “Hey Pretty Girl” with a preview of songs from his upcoming album. He performed new tracks “Unless Heaven Has a Dirt Road” and the brooding “I’m To Blame.”
Moore says he thought the new album was complete, until the song “Come Back Kid” came along. “I’ve always felt like the underdog,” said Moore. “Brett James, I don’t care what you say, it’s going on the record,” he quipped to James, who was in the audience. The unreleased song garnered one of the most enthusiastic crowd responses of the evening.
Before closing with his new single, “Young Love,” (co-written with Dan Couch and Weston Davis), Moore thanked those from his team that had attended. “This has been a long road. I can’t express my gratitude for the life everyone in this room has let us live. I’m grateful for you guys who are fighting for us.”