NSAI and CMT Announce 15th Annual Song Contest

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NSAI-Song-ContestThe Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI) and Country Music Television (CMT) have announced the 15th Annual NSAI Song Contest Presented by CMT. The contest is open to all genres and submissions will be accepted from Sept. 1, 2014 until Oct. 31, 2014.
The top ten songs will be voted on by the fans during February 2015 to turn out a Grand Prize CMT Listeners’ Choice Award Winner. The winner will receive a mentoring session with Warner Music Nashville recording artist Charlie Worsham (who was the 2006 NSAI Song Contest Winner), a one-year single song contract with Little Louder Music Publishing, live performances at the 2015 Tin Pan South Songwriters Festival and The Bluebird Cafe, a three (3) day trip to Nashville, Tenn., and more.
“NSAI’s Song Contest is not a one-time prize; it’s an invitation into the songwriting community,” says NSAI Executive Director Bart Herbison. “This is a powerful vehicle to get ‘discovered.’”
Submit entries via mail to NSAI (a printable entry form can be found at nsai.cmt.com) or online at sonicbids.com/NSAICMTSongContest. Entry fees are $35 per song for current NSAI members and $45 per song for non-NSAI members. There is no limit to the number of songs that songwriters can submit.
In addition to the CMT Listeners’ Choice Award Winner, one lyric-only winner will be selected along with 10 runners-ups and 10 honorable mentions. All entrants will receive a personalized scoring sheet.

MusicRowPics: Morgan Riley

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Morgan Riley visit

Morgan Riley visit


Greenville, S.C. resident and SkyTone Records artist Morgan Riley visited the MusicRow office to share songs from her upcoming 12-song project, Collage. “It’s a mixture of everything from country-pop to rock to soul,” says Riley. She offered acoustic takes on three songs from the album, including “Don’t Ask Me,” the ballad “It Wasn’t Me,” and up-tempo “Down South.”
A life-long entertainer, Riley moved to New York City at 18, and soon found herself performing pop and R&B standards, and recording at Hit Factory Studio. After re-discovering her Country roots, she moved to Greenville to begin sharpening her songwriting skills.
After answering a open call for aspiring artists on musicxray.com, Riley traveled to Nashville to begin networking. Her previous album, Affinity, caught the attention of SkyTone Records’ Frank Green. Green soon signed her to his label, and became a frequent co-writer. The duo’s co-writes are featured heavily on Collage. Riley makes frequent trips to Nashville for business and songwriting.
Riley recently released the video for her single, “Rowdy Shoutin’ Cowboys,” which was shot in Nashville. The project will release on Skytone Records on Sept. 30.
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Industry Pics: Warner Bros. Nashville, Streamsound Records

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Warner Bros. Nashville held a reunion recently at Nashville’s Tin Roof. Executives and staff from the 1980s, 1990s, and 2000s attended. Former staff even flew in from Los Angeles, Chicago and Washington state.

Present and former employees of Warner Brothers Nashville came together to hang out at The Tin Roof. Photo: Randi Radcliff

Present and former employees of Warner Brothers Nashville came together to hang out at The Tin Roof. Photo: Randi Radcliff

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Streamsound Records founder/co-owner Byron Gallimore and president/CEO Steve Richardson, as well as VP, National Promotion & Strategic Marketing Teddi Bonadies, recently presented at the Cox Radio Summit presentation held at Noteable Blends in Nashville. Programmers of Cox Media Group were treated to performances from Kristian Bush and Austin Webb during the event.
The Brentwood, Tenn.-based label was launched in 2012, and  is distributed by ATO Records. The label roster includes Bush, Webb, Dakota Bradley and Jaida Dreyer.

Pictured: Streamsound Records recording artists Kristian Bush and Austin Webb with the Cox Media Group. Photo: Streamsound Records

Pictured: Streamsound Records recording artists Kristian Bush and Austin Webb with the Cox Media Group. Photo: Streamsound Records

The Railers Create A Nashville Buzz

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The Railers with MusicRow staffers.

The Railers with MusicRow staffers.


Warner Bros. Records band The Railers recently stopped by the MusicRow office to preview new music, following a performance at WMN’s Pickin’ On The Patio. The band played their current single, “Kinda Dig The Feeling,” for MusicRow staff, and discussed their musical journey.
During Pickin’ On The Patio, the band thrilled the crowd with songs including “Irish Song,” “Kinda Dig The Feeling,” and a cover of Faces’ hit “Ooh La La.” Sponsors for the show included GiGi’s Cupcakes, Aramark, Ajax Turner, and Patron.
The Railers include brothers and Missouri natives Jordan and Jonathan, Arizona native Cassandra, and Indiana drummer Tyler. Jordan, Jonathan and Cassandra are all classically trained musicians.
The band is preparing to hit the road for several weeks for an extended radio tour. Not that The Railers are strangers to the road. After moving to Nashville in 2002, the members spent the next several years sharpening their craft, and supporting themselves by performing on the road for artists including Sara Evans, Josh Turner, and Lorrie Morgan.
In April 2010, after years of rigorous touring and pursuing school, the band renewed their commitment to becoming artists, signing their names on a cafe napkin that read “September 1, 2010 or Bust.” Shortly thereafter, the group earned an opening slot on Sara Evans’ Fall and Christmas tours, followed by another 60-show tour with an Irish performer. One year later, they had signed with Sony/ATV Music Publishing. Two years later, they had inked a deal with Warner Bros. Records.
“I remember asking people, ‘Is this the way it usually happens?,'” said Cassandra. “They told me, ‘No it usually doesn’t happen so quickly!’ We are workhorses, and we’re made to do this. It’s going to be a wild ride, and we can’t wait get our music out there.”
(L to R): Kristen Williams (VP, Promotion), Lisa Ray (VP, Brand Management), Jordan (The Railers), Rebekah Sterk (Director, A&R), Cassandra (The Railers), Peter Strickland (SVP & GM, WMN), Tyler (The Railers) and Jonathan (The Railers)

Pictured: (L-R): Kristen Williams (VP, Promotion), Lisa Ray (VP, Brand Management), Jordan (The Railers), Rebekah Gordon (Director, A&R), Cassandra (The Railers), Peter Strickland (SVP & GM, WMN), Tyler (The Railers) and Jonathan (The Railers)

Country Stars Contribute to MDA Labor Day Telethon

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Rascal Flatts meets with

MDA Ambassador Bryson Foster with Rascal Flatts.


The 49th annual MDA Show of Strength Telethon will air this Labor Day weekend with Rascal Flatts, LeAnn Rimes, Sara Evans, Brad Paisley Charles Esten and Nancy O’Dell, among many others.
ABC-TV will air the two-hour national broadcast of musical performances and heartfelt appeals in an effort to raise funds and awareness in support of the MDA’s mission to save and improve the lives affected by muscle disease. Flatts will perform “My Wish,” and Evans will sing her hit single “A Little Bit Stronger.” Both performances were taped from the iconic Grand Ole Opry in Nashville with introductions from MDA Ambassador Bryson Foster, 14.
“As much fun as it was performing for this year’s MDA telethon, getting to meet with Bryson Foster who’s affected by muscular dystrophy was the real highlight of the whole experience for me and the guys,” said Rascal Flatts lead vocalist Gary LeVox. “We’re inspired by him and all that MDA does to help the families it serves, and we’re honored to be part of the progress that’s being made to end these life-threatening diseases.”
Rimes performs her hit single “Give” at the 2014 MDA Show after meeting backstage with “blue” carpet correspondent and 15-year-old MDA Ambassador Abbey Umali of Redlands, Calif.
Paisley also will make a special appeal on behalf of families served by MDA while giving an exclusive behind-the-scenes peek at a taping of ABC’s Rising Star.
“Our telethon will offer great entertainment from some of America’s favorite Country artists who are ‘showing their strength’ to inspire millions of viewers to rally behind families who courageously wage a battle against life-threatening muscle disease every day,” said MDA President and CEO Steven M. Derks. “The Show of Strength Telethon provides an incredible opportunity to celebrate everyone who has helped drive decades of progress by MDA in the search for treatments and cures.”
Watch the event, planned to air on ABC-TV, Sunday, Aug. 31, 9pm ET/PT, 8pm CT/MT.

MusicRow Challenge Coin: Brad Warren and Lance Miller

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Brad Warren and Lance Miller visited the MusicRow offices recently, where they were honored with a MusicRow Challenge Coin in acknowledgement of their contribution to Jerrod Niemann‘s “Drink To That All Night,” which hit the No. 1 spot on the MusicRow CountryBreakout Chart the week of March 6, 2014.
The song was also penned by Derek George and Brett Warren. The song was published by WB Music Corp, Funky Frair Music, Songs of StyleSonic, Melvin’s Bullets Music, Melvin’s Pistol Music, House Of StyleSonic Music, EMI Blackwood Music Inc., Sagequinnjude Music, Famlove Songs.
With each coin individually minted and numbered, Warren received coin #33 and Miller #34. To see the complete list of MusicRow Challenge Coin winners, click here.

Pictured (L-R): Songwriter Brad Warren, MusicRow's Sherod Robertson, and songwriter Lance Miller

Pictured (L-R): Songwriter Brad Warren, MusicRow‘s Sherod Robertson, and songwriter Lance Miller

Industry Ink: New Hire For Spin Doctors, Chris Stevens Celebrates No. 1 Songs

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Michael Davis

Michael Davis


Spin Doctors Music Group Nashville has welcomed former WKDZ-FM (Cadiz, Ky.)’s Michael Davis. Davis’ duties will include sponsorship sales, radio tour set up, and assisting with radio promotion efforts. He can be reached at 615-329-3375 or at [email protected].

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Capitol CMG Publishing celebrated with Grammy Award-winner Chris Stevens on his latest No. 1 singles “Overcomer” recorded by Mandisa and “Steal My Show” recorded by TobyMac.

Pictured: Capitol CMG Publishing's Stacey Willbur, John Thompson, Chris Stevens, John Andrade & Matt Ewald

Pictured: Capitol CMG Publishing’s Stacey Willbur, John Thompson, Chris Stevens, John Andrade & Matt Ewald

Weekly Chart Report (08/29/14)

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Click here or above to access MusicRow‘s weekly CountryBreakout Report

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Sony Music Nashville Hires Garbinski For Secondary Radio Promotion

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Christy Garbinski11

Christy Garbinski


Sony Nashville has hired Christy Garbinski as promotion representative for the label. Based in Nashville, Garbinski is responsible for promoting airplay for Sony Music Nashville artists at secondary market radio stations.
A 2013 graduate of the University of Florida, she has experience with Country Radio Broadcasters, and WRUF The Gator in Gainesville, Fla., along with internships at CMT, Clear Channel Tampa, and Entercom Communications.
Garbinski can be reached at [email protected].

Magic Mustang, Warner/Chappell Sign Brooke Eden In First Co-Venture Pub Deal

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brooke eden1111Magic Mustang and Warner/Chappell Music have jointly signed Brooke Eden to their respective publishing rosters. This marks the first co-signing venture between the two publishing companies. Florida native Eden has opened for several artists over the past four years, including Alan Jackson, Sugarland, Florida Georgia Line, Sara Evans, Dustin Lynch, and more. She co-wrote her current single, “American Dreamin’,” with Sherrie Austin and Will Rambeaux.
“I’m so thrilled to be signing my new publishing deal, a co-venture with Magic Mustang Music and Warner/Chappell Music, I’ve admired both of these companies for a while and really feel I’ve found the best of two worlds,” says Eden. “The fact that this is my first publishing deal and this is their first co-venture together makes it even more special. Thank y’all for American Dreamin’ with me! Yo, here we go!”
“Brooke Eden is an amazing talent,” says Juli Newton-Griffith, VP Publishing for Magic Mustang Music. “This is going to be a wonderful, wild ride, and we are happy to be partnering with Warner/Chappell for this venture.”
“Brooke Eden’s writing is topical, fresh and speaks to her generation in a very unique way,” says Ben Vaughn, EVP of Warner/Chappell Music Nashville. “Warner/Chappell is proud to partner with our friends at Magic Mustang in supporting this talented writer.”