WME Adds Kevin Neal

/by

Pictured at tonight's (May 12) TJ Martell fundraiser, the Roast of Rob Beckham (L-R): WME's Beckham, Kevin Neal, and Greg Oswald.

Pictured at tonight’s (May 12) TJ Martell fundraiser, the Roast of Rob Beckham (L-R): WME’s Beckham, Kevin Neal, and Greg Oswald


William Morris Endeavor Entertainment (WME) has announced the addition of agent Kevin Neal, bringing several clients with him including Jason Aldean, Florida Georgia Line, Colt Ford and Parmalee.
Neal joins WME as a partner after recently exiting Buddy Lee Attractions, where he served as the company’s president since 2009. The veteran agent has over 30 years of experience.
Under his leadership at BLA, the agency received the 2014 Pollstar Award for Independent Booking Agency of the Year. Additionally, Neal was named IEBA Talent Agent of the Year in 2006, 2008 and 2010; and NATD Agent of the Year in 2007. He was also a 2013 NATD Honors Award Recipient.
Neal was raised in the music business as the son of legendary agent and manager Bob Neal. He joined the Neal Agency in 1981 and worked with his father, before joining Buddy Lee Attractions from 1983 to 1985 and returning in 1988.
The addition of Kevin Neal marks the continued growth of WME’s Nashville office. In 2010 WME acquired Joey Lee’s 360 Artist Agency, bringing over artists Miranda Lambert, Lee Ann Womack, and Lee Brice. Neal and Lee previously worked together at Buddy Lee Attractions when Joey Lee served as CEO of that agency.
Earlier this year, WME brought on former Paradigm agents Mike Snider, Kevin Huffman and Dan Rauter to launch a Christian Music Division in the Nashville office, bringing over artists including CeCe Winans, MercyMe, Red, and Tenth Avenue North.
WME’s Nashville office represents Blake Shelton, Eric Church, Luke Bryan, Dierks Bentley, Brad Paisley, Chris Young, Rascal Flatts, Reba, Easton Corbin, Justin Moore, The Band Perry, Danielle Bradbery, Charlie Worsham and many more.

Songwriter Equity Act Introduced In Senate

/by
NSAI songwriter equity act

(L-R): Songwriters Tom Douglas, Roxie Dean and Rivers Rutherford perform as Senators Bob Corker, Lamar Alexander and Orrin Hatch look on.

The Songwriter Equity Act is being introduced in the U.S. Senate, following a previous introduction in the House of Representatives.

Senators Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.), Bob Corker (R-Tenn.) and Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) gathered at the Bluebird Cafe in Nashville today (May 12) to announce the legislation to amend federal law to allow songwriters to be compensated for the fair market value of their work.
NSAI’s Bart Herbison explained that following introduction of the bill, the Senators will gather sponsors for it, adding that all three Senators have a proven track record of bi-partisan support. Herbison noted that the Tennessee Senators understand the dilemma of the songwriters and the artistic community, and that Hatch’s involvement is important because he is a songwriter himself and a senior member of the Judiciary Committee that would consider the legislation. The announcement took place in Nashville because Music City has played a crucial role in the legislation and has such a strong creative community. Herbison said several organizations have been instrumental in the legislation, including the performing rights organizations ASCAP, BMI and SESAC, as well as the NMPA, NSAI, The Recording Academy and the Church Music Publishers Association.

BMI Songwriter Tom Douglas Joins Senators Alexander, Corker and Hatch in Vital Music DiscussionsPictured L-R at the meeting in Nashville to discuss Senatorial support for songwriters are: Smith-Free Group’s Tim Locke; BMI songwriter and President of the Nashville Songwriters Association Lee Thomas Miller; BMI songwriter Tom Douglas; Senator Bob Corker; Senator Orrin Hatch; Senator Lamar Alexander; BMI Vice President, Writer/Publisher Relations, Nashville, Jody Williams; and BMI Senior Vice President and General Counsel Stuart Rosen.

Pictured (L-R): BMI’s Jody Williams, BMI songwriter Tom Douglas, U.S. Senator Lamar Alexander, BMI’s Stuart Rosen and Smith-Free Group’s Tim Locke.


Songwriters Roxie Dean, Lee Thomas Miller, Tom Douglas and Rivers Rutherford performed and discussed the importance of removing government restrictions.
The legislation would allow songwriters to receive market-based compensation and remove government price controls in two ways:
• It would direct the Copyright Royalty Board to set compensation according to the fair market value when songs are sold, such as through music downloads and CD purchases.
•  It would remove a provision of law that narrows the scope of evidence the federal rate court may examine when asked to set songwriter compensation for when their song is played, such as in a restaurant or at a concert.
Songwriter compensation is dictated by the federal government. The rate of compensation that is set by the Copyright Royalty Board has increased only 7 cents over 100 years, and is currently 9.1 cents per song. The so-called “federal rate court” determines compensation rates for public performances, occasionally requiring songwriters to engage in complex litigation to be paid reasonable fees for their work.
NMPA leader David Israelite said, “The SEA takes an important step directing the CRB to use a ‘willing-buyer/willing-seller’ rate standard to more fairly approximate what a song is worth in the free market. We must inject fairness into an outdated process that is undeniably stacked against songwriters and publishers, ensuring they are rightly compensated for their work.”
The legislation the senators introduced is the Senate companion to H.R. 4079, legislation introduced on Feb. 25 by U.S. Rep. Doug Collins (R-Ga.) with 14 cosponsors, including U.S. Reps. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Phil Roe (R-Tenn.), Steve Cohen (D-Tenn.) and Jim Cooper (D-Tenn.).
SEA bluebird ASCAP

Senator Bob Corker, ASCAP Songwriter Rivers Rutherford, Senator Orrin Hatch, ASCAP Board member Wayland Holyfield, Senator Lamar Alexander, ASCAP’s Michael Martin and ASCAP Board Member Barry Coburn. Photo: ASCAP’s Alison Toczylowski.

Frankie Ballard, Thomas Rhett Get Gold Singles From RIAA

/by

Frankie Ballard. Photo: Sam Erickson

Frankie Ballard. Photo: Sam Erickson


Warner Bros. Records artist Frankie Ballard‘s chart-topping single, “Helluva Life,” has been certified Gold by the RIAA, for sales of more than 500,000. Ballard’s current single, “Sunshine & Whiskey,” is fast climbing into the Top 40 on the Billboard Country chart. Both songs are featured on Ballard’s Sunshine & Whiskey project, produced by Marshall Altman.
Ballard, a native of Battle Creek, Mich., will join Jake Owen‘s Days of Gold Tour this summer.

 • • •

TR_PHOTO_0100-Barlowe_02823_FNL(1)1111

Thomas Rhett


Singer-songwriter’s Thomas Rhett‘s single, “Get Me Some of That,” was recently certified Gold by the RIAA, recognizing sales of more than 500,000. The song was penned by Rhett Akins, Michael Carter and Cole Swindell.

Nominees Revealed for 2014 Americana Honors & Awards

/by
Rosanne Cash

Rosanne Cash


Host and artist Elizabeth Cook presented the nominees for the 2014 Americana Honors & Awards today (May 12) during an event at SiriusXM Music City Theatre in downtown Nashville. Also on hand for the event were performers Jim Lauderdale and band leader Buddy Miller, whose acoustic quartet backed Valerie June, Parker Milsap, and Hurray For The Riff Raff. Cook concluded the program by joining Miller and the band for a duet of “Burning the Midnight Oil,” a popular record by Dolly Parton and Porter Wagoner.
Rosanne Cash was among the top nominees this year. Cash’s The River and the Thread is nominated for Album of the Year. She is nominated for Artist of the Year, as well as Song of the Year for “A Feather’s Not A Bird.”

Fellow Artist of the Year nominee Jason Isbell‘s Southeastern is also up for Album of the Year, and his song “Cover Me Up,” received a nod for Song of the Year.
Robert Ellis is nominated for Artist of the Year, Song of the Year for “Only Lies,” and Album of the Year for The Lights From The Chemical Plant.

Performers during the presentation Hurray For The Riff Raff, Valerie June, and Parker Milsap are all nominated for Emerging Act of the Year, alongside St. Paul & The Broken Bones, and Sturgill Simpson.

Duo/Group of the Year nominees are The Avett Brothers, The Devil Makes Three, Hard Working Americans, The Milk Carton Kids, and Lake Street Drive.
Jason Isbell

Jason Isbell


Album of the Year
Build Me Up From Bones, Sarah Jarosz
The Lights From The Chemical Plant, Robert Ellis
The River and the Thread, Rosanne Cash
Southeastern, Jason Isbell
Artist of the Year
Rosanne Cash
Rodney Crowell
Robert Ellis
Jason Isbell
Duo/Group of the Year
The Avett Brothers
The Devil Makes Three
Hard Working Americans
Lake Street Drive
The Milk Carton Kids
Song of the Year
“Cover Me Up”-Jason Isbell
“A Feather’s Not A Bird”-Rosanne Cash
“Ohio”-Patty Griffin
“Only Lies”-Robert Ellis
Emerging Act of the Year
Hurray For The Riff Raff
Parker Milsap
St. Paul & The Broken Bones
Sturgill Simpson
Valerie June
Instrumentalist of the Year
Larry Campbell
Fats Kaplin
Buddy Miller
Bryan Sutton

Nashville Gears Up For CMA Music Festival

/by

Nashville will prep the thousands of fans coming to town in June for the CMA Music Festival with a couple of music-filled pre-parties taking place prior to the start of the four-day festival.
CW/Musicians On Call
Kip Moore and Frankie Ballard will perform during Country Weekly‘s Kick-Off Party powered by NASH, which will be held Tuesday, June 3 at Nashville’s Hard Rock Cafe. The event, sponsored by Durango and Roper, will benefit Musicians On Call, a non-profit organization that lifts the spirits of patients in healthcare facilities through bedside performances.
Tickets are on sale now and range from $30 General Admission to a $500 VIP package including a reserved table for four guests plus a meet-and-greet with the performing artists. All attendees can enjoy a red carpet arrival complete with lights and a backdrop for photos. Doors open at 7:00 p.m.with the music beginning at 8:00 p.m.
For more information on the event, ticket options and Musicians On Call, visit musiciansoncall.org.

• • •

rodneyatkins6_h

Rodney Atkins

Rodney Atkins‘ annual “Music City Gives Back” concert will be held in downtown Nashville on Tuesday, June 3. Now in its fourth year, the show will bring an all-star lineup including Atkins, Lee Brice, Jana Kramer, Dustin Lynch, Josh Thompson and more. The shindig will benefit Nashville’s W.O. Smith Music School. “Music City Gives Back” will begin at 6 p.m. CT at 1st Ave. and Broadway, and is free to the public.

Carl Black Chevrolet and Wrangler return for the fourth year as presenting sponsors, and the show will be streamed live at carlblackradio.com and wranglernetwork.com. Cumulus Media stations NASH-FM 103.3 and WSM-FM 95.5 will be on-site, with “Nash Nights Live” host Shawn Parr broadcasting live and “America’s Morning Show” host Blair Garner introducing artists to the stage.

Paul Moore Leaving WME

/by

paul moore

Paul Moore, Photo: Hether Crawford


Veteran agent Paul Moore is leaving William Morris Endeavor (WME), effective June 30. He joined the agency 36 years ago as a secretary, and went on to serve in leadership roles including Sr. VP, Co-Head/Nashville, Co-COO/Nashville and Head of the Fair and Special Events Department nationwide.
Moore established the WMA-Nashville operation to book corporate events and private engagements. He also established the WMA Contemporary Christian Music Department and added Christian artists Sandi Patty, 4Him, Point of Grace and Petra as clients.
He helped integrate the Jim Halsey Agency and Triad Artists Agency into WMA after the smaller agencies were acquired.
During his career he acted as the responsible agent for Reba McEntire, Vince Gill, Ronnie Milsap, Tanya Tucker, Larry Gatlin & the Gatlin Brothers, Ray Stevens, T.G. Sheppard, Lee Greenwood, the touring agent for television legend Bob Barker, and many more.
Moore will be honored for his outstanding industry service when he receives the Academy of Country Music’s Mae Boren Axton Award at the 8th Annual ACM Honors ceremony Sept. 9, 2014 at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville.
Moore says he isn’t going into retirement. “I see this more as a ‘graduation’ from the University of WMA/WME,” he said. “I leave with a body of knowledge based on 36 years working at the greatest talent agency in the world. I’m simply turning the page to a new chapter. I just don’t know yet what the title of that new chapter will be… In the meantime, there will be lots of long walks with the pups, long-neglected garages and closets to sort through and many hours spent catching up with my friends and family.”
Moore was a longtime board member of IEBA, ACM, and Belmont University School of Performance and Visual Arts. He is a graduate of Leadership Music, an IEBA Hall of Fame inductee and NATD Award winner.

Republic's David Nathan Moves To BMLG

/by

Pictured (L-R): David Nathan and Scott Borchetta

Pictured (L-R): David Nathan and Scott Borchetta


Republic Records’ Sr. VP Promotion and Artist Development David Nathan is heading to Big Machine Label Group. He will continue to be based in New York, and will spearhead promotion efforts for artists across Big Machine Records, Republic Nashville, The Valory Music Co., and Dot Records, including artists Taylor Swift, Brantley Gilbert, Florida Georgia Line, The Band Perry, Cassadee Pope, and Rascal Flatts.
Republic Records co-founder and chief executive Monte Lipman comments, “David has been one of the pioneers of Republic since its inception. As the company continues to grow its relationship with Nashville’s No. 1 hit-making machine, it only makes sense to invest in the future expansion of Scott Borchetta’s Big Machine Label Group.”
“We’re thrilled to formally welcome David to the team. He’s an incredibly talented and energetic executive who’s always thinking big,” said Big Machine Label Group President and CEO Scott Borchetta. “David has been involved with Taylor Swift’s history-making crossover success from the very beginning as part of the mighty Republic pop promotion department. I simply could not pass up the opportunity to acquire 100 percent of his focus to the artists at the Big Machine Label Group. This is another step in the evolution of our company and we know it’s going to bring mega pop muscle for our initiatives. We can’t wait to begin working together.”
Nathan joined Universal in 1996, and has worked with Republic Records co-founder Lipman since the label’s launch. He started out as National Director of Pop Promotion and worked his way up to Sr. VP of Promotion and Artist Development in 2012.

First Round of Performers Announced for CMT Music Awards

/by

CMT-Music-AwardsBlake Shelton, Carrie Underwood, Eric Church, Florida Georgia Line, Luke Bryan, and Miranda Lambert are the first performers confirmed for this year’s CMT Music Awards.
The event will be broadcast from Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena on Wednesday, June 4, beginning at 8 p.m. ET. Additional performers will be announced soon.
Live event producer Michael Dempsey returns to executive produce the 2014 CMT Music Awards, alongside director Joe DeMaio. John Hamlin and Margaret Comeaux serve as executive producers for CMT.
Fans can vote online at cmt.com and via their mobile device at CMT Mobile through June 1 to determine the winners. The six finalists for Video of the Year will be announced at the beginning of the live show. Fans can then vote via cmt.com, CMT mobile and via text message throughout the live broadcast to determine the evening’s big winner.

MusicRowLife: THiS Music's Rusty Gaston Weds

/by

rusty gaston111

Rusty Gaston and Kacie Boguskie. Photo: Ancelet Photography


THiS Music GM/Partner Rusty Gaston married Clarksville, Tenn. native and two-time Bachelor contestant Kacie Boguskie on Sunday, May 11 in Nashville.
The couple wed in front of approximately 160 guests at the Belle Meade Plantation’s garden, followed by a reception at the plantation’s carriage house.
The couple’s first dance was performed by one of Gaston’s writers.

Director Roman White Joins Moo Creative Media

/by

Roman White (r) takes home a CMT Music Award.

Roman White (r) is named a CMT Music Award winner for his work with Carrie Underwood.


Moo Creative Media has added award-winning director Roman White to its roster. White will create music videos, films and television commercials with the Nashville-based content company.
“Moo Creative has an unparalleled reputation throughout Nashville and the music industry for innovation and high quality work,” said White. “I can’t wait to see what we are able to accomplish together.”
White has three Emmys, six CMT Music awards (including Director of the Year and Video of the Year for Carrie Underwood‘s “Before He Cheats”), as well as numerous ACM and GAC video awards. Among the artists White has worked with include Underwood, Justin Bieber, Taylor Swift, Lady Antebellum, Kelly Clarkson, Reba McEntire, Kellie Pickler, Colbie Caillat, Gavin DeGraw and Brandi Carlile.
“Roman has an incredible reputation for producing groundbreaking work for ‘A list’ artists. His decision to work exclusively with Moo Creative is a key milestone in our company’s history. As word of Roman’s affiliation with us has leaked out in Nashville’s creative community, there’s been a lot of excitement and buzz about his joining the team,” said Nick Palladino, President of Moo Creative Media. “Our first shoot with Roman at the helm went unbelievably well. His instincts as a director are brilliant and we welcome him to the MCM family with open arms.”
White will also direct television commercials with Moo Creative. His portfolio features commercials for organizations including To Write Love on Her Arms, First Tennessee, Tennessee Lottery and Wisconsin Lottery. He is currently finishing his first film, Serafine, and is in pre-production on his first feature film, Pepper Anne.