Industry Ink: Combustion Music, Copyright Society of the South, SOLID

Combustion Music, Atlas Music Publishing Sign Songwriter/Producer Pruis

Pictured (L-R): Combustion Music’s Kenley Flynn, AJ Pruis, Julia Scheider-Williams, Chris Van Belkom, Matthew West, Atlas Music Publishing’s Richard Stumpf, Ryan Brodhead, and Combustion’s Chris Farren and Ashley Gorley.

Combustion Music and JV partner Atlas Music Publishing have signed songwriter and producer AJ Pruis to an exclusive, world-wide publishing venture with Christian artist and current Combustion writer Matthew West.

Pruis began working with West in 2014 as a member of his band. Shortly after, a writing relationship developed and two of those songs landed on West’s latest album including the title track, Live Forever. The album released yesterday (April 28).

“I am so excited to be working AJ and believe that Combustion/Atlas is going to be the perfect home for him to get his music to the world. AJ’s talent is off the charts, combining a fresh approach to melody and a unique production style. This is just the beginning of a bright songwriting career for him!” commented West.

“Matthew West introduced us to AJ, and I was immediately taken by his focus and talents in all facets of the music business as a writer, singer and producer. The sky is the limit for AJ, and we plan on helping him get there.” said Chris Farren, President of Combustion Music.

Copyright Society of the South Sees ‘Blurred Lines’ For Songwriters

Pictured (L-R): John Barker, Jill Napier, Ted Goldtrhope, Dr. E. Michael Harrington, Tal Dickstein, Jodi Carmichael, Denise Stevens, John Rolfe and Karl Braun.

On Thursday, April 23, the Copyright Society of the South hosted a panel titled, “Blurred Lines: A Blurred Outlook For Songwriters” on the recent decision from the courts.  The standing room only audience at BMI heard from Tal Dickstein of Loeb & Loeb and Dr. E. Michael Harrington.

SOLID To Host 18th Annual Music Row Crawfish Boil

The Society of Leaders in Development (SOLID) will host its 18th annual Music Row Crawfish Boil on Wednesday, May 13. The event will begin at 5:30 p.m. at the Sony/ATV Music Publishing parking lot, located at 8 Music Sq. W. The event is free and open to the general public. Attendees must be 21 and older, with valid I.D.

Jaime Sarrantonio of The Agency Coalition and Ryan Slone of New Frontier Touring are organizing this year’s event. “The Crawfish Boil is one of SOLID’s longest running events,” Sarrantonio said. “It’s been great to see how much it has grown over the years and the way it continues to connect different generations of music industry professionals.”

Soon following will be the 2015 Music Row Yard Sale & Auction. Proceeds allow the organization to host educational panels, volunteer opportunities, and networking events. A portion of the proceeds this year will also benefit the Muscular Dystrophy Association.