May 2015 - Page 11 of 22

Borchetta’s Inside Scoop From ‘American Idol’

May 15, 2015/by Eric T. Parker

Scott Borchetta. Photo: Rick Diamond.

No announcement has been made on whether Scott Borchetta will align with American Idol’s 15th and final season next year, but he offered plenty of insight about his experiences during the just-ended season during an interview yesterday (May 14). MusicRow caught up with the Big Machine Label Group founder and CEO when he received the Presidential Award for Outstanding Executive Achievement from the Music Business Association (Music Biz) at a ceremony in Nashville.

Borchetta’s duties with the show lasted four months, keeping him in Los Angeles for tapings (including the Borchetta Breakdown series online), spots on the broadcast and returning to Nashville to host the contestants on their trip to Music City.

Yesterday, Borchetta revealed he was most upset to see East Brunswick, NJ-contestant Jax depart Idol’s season 14. The 19-year-old was the only female to make it to the top three before being bested by White House, Tenn.-native Clark Beckham and ultimate winner Nick Fradiani, who received a recording contract with Big Machine.

“Right now all of our energy is going into the winner, and then we’ll see,” said Borchetta of whether or not his label group will sign other contestants from the FOX show.

Scott Borchetta (L), Nick Fradiani (R). Photo: Kevork Djansezian.

On the Idol season finale, Scott Borchetta (L) and Nick Fradiani (R). Photo: Kevork Djansezian.

Additionally, there is a chance an artist from another signing competition, NBC’s The Voice, could land on Borchetta’s label. Universal Republic, which is aligned with Borchetta’s Republic Nashville, has first dibs on contestants from The Voice, which will crown a new winner soon. Among the remaining contestants is Meghan Lindsey, who is now a solo artist following a stint with the duo Steel Magnolia, which was previously signed to Big Machine.

When asked about launching artists with or without reality television, Borchetta shrugged off comparisons between the two. “I don’t know if there’s anything that’s traditional about any artist launch,” he said. “Our mission is to attack all media all the time. They gave us the opportunity to go work on Idol, which is an amazing platform. We launch the best we can launch every time.”

Pictured (L-R): Scott Borchetta, Jax. Photo: Fox.

Borchetta also reflected on the legacy of the program. “When you look at American Idol and the iconic show that it is, the legacy will live on in real-time with Carrie Underwood and Kelly Clarkson and now Nick Fradiani and the other great contestants,” he continued. “To have that relevance in the marketplace to continue long after the show is done is the testament to its impact on American culture.”

Memorable experiences over the past season for the 52-year-old executive include working with Jason DeRulo and Boy George. “Jason is a great artist. Never in my life did I think Boy George and I would work together on anything. But we became immediate friends. He’s incredibly humble, kind and smart. I could go on and on, it was a great experience.”

Borchetta’s alignment with CAA helped secure his spot as Idol’s official season 14 mentor.

Maximum Artist Group’s Solarek Launches Full-Service Label

May 15, 2015/by Jessica Nicholson

Pictured (L-R): 3for3, Mitchell Solarek, Ed Leonard, Natalie Grant, Bernie Herms, Riley Clemmons and Kolby Koloff. Photo: Aaron Crisler

Maximum Artist Group’s Mitchell Solarek launched full-service label Maxx Recordings with a celebration in Nashville last night (May 14), where he also announced partnerships with Sony RED and New Day Christian for distribution.

Solarek introduced Maxx Recordings’ first signings, including 3for3, Kolby Koloff, and Riley Clemmons. Solarek’s Maximum Artist Group is home to artists including Natalie Grant, Danny Gokey, Donald Lawrence, and producer Bernie Herms.

Solarek says, “Through it’s initial signings, Maxx Recordings is committed to impacting fans of Top 40 songs by supporting and working along side artists who’s music and lyrics are positive and relevant in today’s music culture. Maximum Artist Group has always been committed to developing and introducing emerging talent into the market and Maxx Recordings is an extension of that commitment. We are proud to welcome 3for3, Kolby and Riley to our Maxx family.”

3for3 is a pop trio consisting of American Idol alum Spencer Lloyd, football player Josh Davis, and Benji Shuler, the son of CCM artist Kim Hill. Their single “Halfway” hits radio June 5, and their Bernie Herms-produced EP will be available June 30. Plans for a full project launch are slated for January 2016.

Koloff is a reality TV star that has appeared on two seasons of the popular Lifetime network series, “Preacher’s Daughters.” She is currently in the studio with producer Drew Ramsey. Rounding out the initial artist signings is Nashville native and Brentwood High School freshman Clemmons. Both artists are working on their debut projects.

Maxx Recordings is located at 4219 Hillsboro Pike, Nashville, Tenn. 37215.

BMI Court Victory Yields Higher Rate For Pandora

May 15, 2015/by Sarah Skates

A U.S. District Court has ruled in favor of BMI in its suit against Pandora, determining that the music streaming service must pay 2.5 percent of its revenue to license and perform songs in the BMI repertoire. Pandora’s previous rate was 1.75 percent.

Separately, Pandora had been battling ASCAP in a federal appeals court, which recently ruled its rate for that PRO would remain at 1.85 percent.

Meanwhile, Pandora recently made a major step forward with the FCC in its efforts to launch a terrestrial radio station. The online music company is using a loophole to attempt to qualify for the lower licensing rates used by stations that operate both broadcast and streaming radio.

BMI released the following statement:

Today is an important day for BMI and a huge victory for the more than 650,000 songwriters, composers and publishers we have the privilege to represent. After a nearly two-year legal battle over the value of the BMI repertoire to the Pandora digital music service, the Rate Court ruled resoundingly in BMI’s favor and concluded that our proposed rate of 2.5% of revenue was “reasonable, and indeed at the low end of the range of fees of recent licenses.”

The decision also establishes that existing marketplace agreements can be taken into account when determining rates, a key factor for us, and the industry. This is an important step forward in valuing music in the digital age.

BMI fully supports all new avenues for the performance of our repertoire, but we also believe that creators should never have to virtually give away their product for free in order to subsidize the development of someone else’s business. We were not about to stand by and let that happen to our BMI family. We went through a lot of time and expense to fight that notion, and we are gratified that the Court ruled in our, and ultimately, our affiliates’ favor.

And our efforts to protect the value of our affiliates’ creative work continue. As you know, we have testified in Washington, DC about necessary changes to our Consent Decree and remain encouraged by our ongoing conversations with the Department of Justice. BMI is also a strong supporter of the Songwriters Equity Act, a bill recently reintroduced in Congress that seeks to create a level playing field when determining rates and fees. These efforts are essential to help modernize the music licensing system, creating one that makes better sense for the digital world we live in today and benefits all stakeholders.

My thanks to our friends at Milbank Tweed, who represented BMI at trial, to the in-house legal team of Stuart Rosen, Joe DiMona, Hope Lloyd and Reneé Wolfe, and to all of the BMI team members who gave of their time and expertise in contributing to this achievement.

I am excited for what’s ahead, and thank you for your continued support.

ASCAP also responded:

On Thursday, Judge Louis L. Stanton of United States District Court in Manhattan ruled in favor of BMI in its rate court proceeding with Pandora, setting the rate Pandora must pay BMI at 2.5% of revenue. In his decision, Judge Stanton cited market benchmarks ASCAP has long argued are relevant in rate court proceedings.

In response to the BMI ruling, ASCAP President and Chairman Paul Williams issued the following statement: “This decision is welcome news for music creators, but make no mistake, Pandora will stop at nothing in their ongoing effort to shortchange songwriters. ASCAP and the music community must continue to fight for the urgent reforms needed to enable all songwriters, composers and music publishers to obtain fair compensation for the use of our music.”

NMPA released this statement:

It is a positive first step to the entire publishing and songwriting community that Judge Stanton ruled in favor of BMI, requiring Pandora to pay them a higher percentage of its revenue. While still a small fraction of what music creators deserve, this decision sends a clear message that Pandora cannot continue to get away with growing its business on the backs of struggling songwriters – who deserve to be paid fair market value for their work. – NMPA Pres David Israelite

Chase Bryant to Host CMHoF Words & Music Night

May 15, 2015/by Jessica Nicholson

Chase Bryant. Photo: Justin Nolan Key

On Thursday, May 21, 2015, the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum will celebrate its flagship education program, Words & Music.

For 36 years, Words & Music has connected students with professional songwriters for a one-of-a-kind lesson in musical composition and language skills, offering educators a unique approach to teaching core curriculum.

This year’s event will be hosted by singer-songwriter Chase Bryant. The invitation-only event will begin at 6 p.m. at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum’s Ford Theater.

Since its inception in 1979, over 100,000 students and teachers have participated in Words & Music. The heart of the museum’s school programs, Words & Music allows students to express themselves through creative writing while connecting them with Nashville’s songwriting community.

Weekly Chart Report (5/15/15)

May 15, 2015/by Troy_Stephenson

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

BMG Chrysalis, Gravity Gone Music Sign Writer Jason Saenz

May 15, 2015/by Jessica Nicholson

Pictured (L-R): Sarah Knabe (BMG Chrysalis), Chris Oglesby (BMG Chrysalis), Jason Saenz, Stephanie Greene (Gravity Gone Music), Kos Weaver (BMG Chrysalis).

BMG Chrysalis, with Gravity Gone Music, have signed Jason Saenz to a publishing deal.

Saenz has penned songs for Little Big Town, David Nail, Eli Young Band, Kelleigh Bannen, Easton Corbin, Scotty McCreery, and Frankie Ballard, among others.

“I’m pumped to keep working with my champ, and to be joining lightsaber forces with the team here at BMG,” says Saenz. “I’m just fired up they believe in what I do, and want to keep pushing me creatively.”

Gravity Gone Music’s Stephanie Greene adds, “I’ve been working with Jason for five years now, and I wanted to create a publishing company that was uniquely us. So teaming up with Kos, Chris and the creative staff at BMG Chrysalis was the perfect fit for what we wanted to do, how fun it will be, and where we all want to go. I’ve always believed Jason can write all over the map and I feel like this is our opportunity.”

Kos Weaver of BMG Chrysalis says, “We are lucky to be in biz with both Jason and Stephanie, we are fired up.”

BMG Chrysalis’ Chris Oglesby says, “He is the true triple threat. Music, melody and an incredibly great person.”

Thrice As Nice: Pictured (L-R: Jason Saenz, Sarah Knabe (BMG Chrysalis), Chris Oglesby (BMG Chrysalis), Jason Saenz, Stephanie Greene (Gravity Gone Music), Kos Weaver (BMG Chrysalis), Jason Saenz.

Thrice As Nice: Jason Saenz, Sarah Knabe (BMG Chrysalis), Chris Oglesby (BMG Chrysalis), Jason Saenz, Stephanie Greene (Gravity Gone Music), Kos Weaver (BMG Chrysalis), Jason Saenz.

Music Biz Delivers First Honors In Nashville

May 14, 2015/by Eric T. Parker

Pictured (L-R): Fred Beteille (Chairman of Music Biz), Scott Borchetta (president and CEO of the Big Machine Label Group), Tom Johnston (The Doobie Brothers), Martina McBride, Patrick Simmons (The Doobie Brothers), Meghan Trainor, John McFee (The Doobie Brothers), and James Donio (Music Biz President). Photo: Rick Diamond.

The Music Business Association (Music Biz; formerly NARM), made its award presentations this afternoon (May 14) prior to wrapping up its first conference in Nashville, Tenn.

The Sheraton’s Capitol ballroom welcomed honorees including Meghan Trainor (Breakthrough Artist), Scott Borchetta (Presidential Award for Outstanding Executive Achievement), Martina McBride (Harry Chapin Humanitarian Award), The Who (Outstanding Achievement Award for 50 Years of Musical Excellence), The Doobie Brothers (Chairman’s Award for Sustained Creative Achievement) and Jack White (Music Biz’s inaugural Innovator Award).

The Who and White were honored in presentations made earlier in the week with the former appearing via video at the luncheon.

Music Biz president James Donio served as host for the two hour event, which honored Trainor with her first award ever.

“I’ve never been to an award ceremony like this and actually won,” said Trainor. “Thank you to all the people who help me sing about my bass. Nashville was the first place that opened their arms to let me write here. Thank you to Carla Wallace, who is like my second mother. Big Yellow Dog signed me as a baby when I was deciding whether or not to go to college. Thank you for supporting me writing for all these crazy genres.”

Sandy Chapin, Harry Chapin’s widow, presented McBride for her humanitarian achievements.

“It’s interesting to be recognized for humanitarian efforts,” McBride said humbly. “I feel like God has given me this platform, but it’s really the volunteers that do all the work. It’s on their behalf that I accept this award.”

Borchetta, fresh off the plane from last night’s American Idol finale in Los Angeles, spoke directly to the business-focused audience, noting, “I love the [NARM to Music Biz] name change. My entire career, it’s been music first. The businesses follows. I get questions about wearing the [Music Has Value logo]. It’s a great conversation starter. Free music streaming is going to time out. We don’t let someone else build an industry on our backs. Let’s own it!”

Candace Berry, EVP and GM of Universal Music Group distribution, presented Borchetta with a giant plaque commemorating record sales from their partnership.

Pictured (L-R): Scott Borchetta (President and CEO of the Big Machine Label Group), Linda Kury (Vice President Sales Associated Labels at Universal Music Group), Troy Scott (Director of Label and Non-Trad Marketing at Universal Music Group), Joshua Tario (Senior Director Sales – Catalog at Universal Music Group), and Candace Berry (EVP GM Universal Music Distribution). Photo: Rick Diamond.

The Doobie Brothers were honored by YouTube product manager Fred Beteille, who was recently appointed to chairman of Music Biz. Tom Johnston of the legendary rock band accepted the trophy alongside Patrick Simmons.

“We had a wonderful experience with Sony Nashville,” said Simmons. “It was great for us to creatively step in a new headspace. Thank you to David Huff, our producer, and Kate Richardson (marketing/PR). It’s great to still be rockin’ all these years.”

Michael McDonald, a Franklin, Tenn. resident, offered regrets for attendance but appreciation via video presentation.

Martina McBride and poet Sandy Chapin. Photo: Rick Diamond.

Meghan Trainor (L) and NARM president Jim Donio (R). Photo: Rick Diamond.

Meghan Trainor (L) and Music Biz President James Donio (R). Photo: Rick Diamond.

Sea Gayle Music Adds Steve Schnur To Writer Roster

May 14, 2015/by Jessica Nicholson

(Pictured, Front Row): Marc Driskill, Sea Gayle EVP/GM; Steve Schnur; Chris DuBois, Sea Gayle partner. (Pictured, Back Row): Mike Owens, Sea Gayle VP Creative; Brandon Gregg, Sea Gayle Office Manager; Jake Gear, Sea Gayle Creative Director.

Sea Gayle Music has signed Steve Schnur to an exclusive worldwide songwriter agreement.

“Steve is such a uniquely talented songwriter. His passion for music and his creative instincts are at the heart of his songwriting. We are excited to work with him and enjoy many years of success together,” said Marc Driskill, EVP/GM of Sea Gayle Music.

Schnur began his career as a teenage musician in bands. He has since served in many segments of the music industry, including working on the original programming team at MTV, working in record label promotion, A&R and marketing, as well as music supervisory roles for movies.

“Before anything else in my career, I was a songwriter. And while it had always been my hope to circle back to it, it’s always been my dream to return to songwriting in a community as creatively productive and welcoming as Nashville. Sea Gayle is a true independent, founded and run by songwriters, and I look forward to writing hits for them for years to come,” said Schnur.

Artist Pics: Chris Young, Alan Jackson, Steve Wariner

May 14, 2015/by Jessica Nicholson

Chris Young Brings New Music To Cumulus

Chris Young visited the Cumulus office recently to play new music for the executive staff. Young recently shipped his new song, “I’m Comin’ Over,” to country radio. The tune was co-written by Chris, with Corey Crowder and Josh Hoge. It marks the first single from Young’s upcoming fifth album for RCA Nashville, which is being produced by Young and Corey Crowder.

Pictured (L-R): SVP Programming Mike McVay, VP of Label Relations John Kilgo, Chris Young, EVP of Content & Programming John W. Dickey.

Alan Jackson Visits Special Fan at the Country Music Hall of Fame

Alan Jackson recently spent time with five-year-old Joshua John (aka J Dub), a young fan of Jackson’s music. Joshua is fighting two forms of stage IV cancer. Jackson had Joshua and his family flown to Nashville to tour Jackson’s exhibit at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, and the family stayed at the Omni Hotel. Jackson surprised Joshua at the Hall of Fame exhibit, visiting with him and performing a rendition of “I’ll Fly Away” together.

Joshua John visits with Alan Jackson, and sits on Jackson’s motorcycle at the Country Music Hall of Fame. Photo: Nathan Baugh.

Steve Wariner Welcomes Radio Buds During Billy Bob’s Performance

Over the weekend, NASH Icon format host Scott Gaines and Westwood One’s Classic Country host Linda Flores spent some quality chill time with country legend Steve Wariner at Billy Bob’s Texas.

Pictured (L-R): Scott Gaines, Steve Wariner, and Linda Flores.

Jana Kramer, Kelsea Ballerini on CMT Next Women of Country Tour in Nashville

May 14, 2015/by Sarah Skates

(L-R): CMT’s Leslie Fram, Cam, Kelleigh Bannen, Ruthie Collins, Kelsea Ballerini, Lindsay Ell, Brooke Eden and Clare Dunn

CMT’s inaugural Next Women of Country Tour, headlined by Jana Kramer and Kelsea Ballerini, visited Nashville Tuesday night (May 12) for a packed-house performance at 3rd and Lindsley.

The tour is hitting 10 cities across the country this spring. CMT surprised the audience with a special announcement, welcoming four new members to the “Next Women of Country” franchise. Kramer joined Leslie Fram, SVP of Music Strategy, CMT, on stage to welcome Brooke Eden, Cam, Clare Dunn and Ruthie Collins to the fold.

CMT introduced its “Next Women” campaign in 2013 as a way to give more attention and airplay to emerging female country artists across all screens. Among the Next Women alumnae are Kacey Musgraves, Brandy Clark, Cassadee Pope and Ashley Monroe.

Photos: Joseph Llanes

The newest additions to the Next Women of Country, Brooke Eden, Cam, Clare Dunn and Ruthie Collins.

The newest additions to the Next Women of Country franchise (L-R): Brooke Eden, Cam, Clare Dunn and Ruthie Collins.

Borchetta’s Inside Scoop From ‘American Idol’

Maximum Artist Group’s Solarek Launches Full-Service Label

BMI Court Victory Yields Higher Rate For Pandora

Chase Bryant to Host CMHoF Words & Music Night

Weekly Chart Report (5/15/15)

BMG Chrysalis, Gravity Gone Music Sign Writer Jason Saenz

Music Biz Delivers First Honors In Nashville

Sea Gayle Music Adds Steve Schnur To Writer Roster

Artist Pics: Chris Young, Alan Jackson, Steve Wariner

Chris Young Brings New Music To Cumulus

Alan Jackson Visits Special Fan at the Country Music Hall of Fame

Steve Wariner Welcomes Radio Buds During Billy Bob’s Performance

Jana Kramer, Kelsea Ballerini on CMT Next Women of Country Tour in Nashville

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