SAG-AFTRA Taps Van Syckle As Nashville Executive Director

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RichardVanSyckle

Richard Van Syckle

SAG-AFTRA has added Richard Van Syckle as the new Nashville Local executive director, overseeing the union’s day-to-day operations.

Van Syckle’s prior experience includes network television and new media production, major market local news, national marketing and advertising, and international syndication. Likewise, he has produced, written and directed many projects with SAG-AFTRA members, including a stop at CMT.

“Richard was the right fit for the Nashville Local at a time when local production is growing and the music industry continues to be a dominant force along Music Row,” says National Executive Director David White. “We are excited for him to bring his creative talent and business management skills to the Nashville Local membership and SAG-AFTRA.”

Nashville Local President and search committee member Pat Alger adds, “Most impressive to the committee was the fact that Richard understood our contracts and membership and came to the interview with a clear idea of what this Local does, the diversity of the membership and the challenges that lie ahead in the months and years to come.”

Van Syckle began May 4 and reports to SAG-AFTRA Assistant National Executive Director, Locals Linda Dowell. He will be formally introduced to members at the Local’s annual membership meeting on June 3.

“SAG-AFTRA has a significant presence in Nashville, especially with its offices on Music Row,” says Van Syckle. “I’m looking forward to working with the Local membership and leadership to continue the union’s high profile in the music and entertainment industry.”

Van Syckle’s many accolades include Emmy Awards, an Associated Press Television and Radio Association (APTRA) Award, a Radio Television News Association of Southern California Golden Mike Award, a GLAAD Media Award and the 2014 Nashville International Association of Business Communicators Gold Pen Award.

Nominations Revealed For 27th Annual MusicRow Awards

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MusicRow awards Slider2015MusicRow is pleased to announce the nominees for our 27th Annual MusicRow Awards, Nashville’s longest running industry trade publication honors.

The 2015 MusicRow Awards will be hosted at ASCAP’s Nashville headquarters on Tuesday, June 23 at 5:30 p.m.

Nominees in each of the four categories, which are determined by the MusicRow editorial team, are voted on by the magazine’s subscriber members. Outside submissions were accepted for the Breakthrough Songwriter category, which honors writers and co-writers who scored their first Top 10 hit on MusicRow, Billboard or Mediabase radio charts during the eligibility period (5/1/14 — 4/30/15).

Click here to download the PDF and see the complete list of nominees. 

MusicRow will also distribute the Musician All-Star Awards at the ASCAP event, recognizing those who played on the most albums which reached the Top 10 during the eligibility period. Honors will be presented for bass, drums, fiddle, keyboards, steel, vocals and engineer talent.

Winners will be profiled in MusicRow’s June/July print magazine, which will debut at the ceremony.

Subscribed Members of MusicRow will receive ballots via email later today (May 19). If you do not have a subscription, click here to subscribe and receive your ballot. Voting closes at 5 p.m. on Tues., May 26.

musicrow awards nominator 2015 screenshot

Click to view.

 

Meghan Trainor Talks Whirlwind Year Leading To Awards Streak

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Meghan Trainor accepts two awards at the May 17th Billboard Music Awards in Las Vegas. Photo: Steve Granitz/WireImage/Billboard

Meghan Trainor accepts two awards at the May 17th Billboard Music Awards in Las Vegas. Photo: Steve Granitz/WireImage/Billboard

Since the release of “All About That Bass” in late June 2014, Meghan Trainor has had a year of whirlwind success. She earned two Billboard Music Awards, a Breakthrough Artist trophy from the Music Business Association (Music Biz), and today earned a nod from our MusicRow Awards.

Prior to accepting her first-ever trophy in Nashville on May 14 from Music Biz, she shared with MusicRow the valuable lessons she’s put in to practice while working on new music.

The 21-year-old sensation has roots in Music City, thanks to a publishing deal secured just out of high school with Nashville’s Big Yellow Dog.

“Nashville was the first place that opened their arms to me and let me write,” said Trainor at the Music Biz luncheon. “I wouldn’t be on this stage without my second mom, [Big Yellow Dog’s] Carla Wallace. She signed me when I was a baby deciding whether or not I was going to college.

“It’s hard to be a songwriter and an artist,” Trainor told MusicRow. “With this crazy life I haven’t had time to write. I’ve written maybe three songs since the album was released, which is unusual because it was around three songs a week. I definitely miss the writing room.

“As a songwriter I would wake up at 10 a.m., go in at noon to write a song for a couple hours, and go home. Now I’m the artist and wake up at 8 a.m. to do glam, go to cool events and take a bunch of pictures.

“When your world it thrown upside down you have to learn how to adjust everything. Ryan Tedder told me you’ve gotta write on the road.”

As far as new music, Trainor says she has blocked out a few months in her schedule for studio time with Kevin Kadish, who produced over 70 percent of her debut album and contributed writing credits to over 60 percent of it.

“Kevin is one of the first people that said ‘you should be the artist,’” continued Trainor. “He truly believed in me. He did a bunch of these songs before I even had a deal with Epic Records, so I’m definitely going to go back and work with him.”

Kadish signed with Sony/ATV last year while Trainor continues to work with Big Yellow Dog.

Ballot Schedule Revealed for CMA Awards; Broadcast Submissions Open

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CMA-AwardThe Country Music Association (CMA) will email the first ballot for the 49th Annual CMA Awards to members in good standing who are eligible to vote on Monday, July 6. Voting for the first ballot closes Thursday, July 16 (6:00 PM/CT).

The second ballot is slated to hit inboxes Tuesday, Aug. 11. Voting for the second ballot closes Thursday, Aug. 20 (6:00 PM/CT).

The final nominees in each of the 12 categories will be announced in early September, and the third and final ballot will be emailed Thursday, Oct. 8. Voting for the CMA Awards final ballot ends Tuesday, Oct. 27 (6:00 PM/CT).

The eligibility period for the 2015 CMA Awards is July 1, 2014 to June 30, 2015. All voting is conducted online.

Additionally, the organization is currently accepting online submissions for the 2015 CMA Broadcast Awards for Broadcast Personality (major, large, medium, and small markets), Station, and National Broadcast Personality of the Year (major, large, medium, and small markets) at Broadcast.CMAawards.com until Saturday, June 27 (6:00 PM/CT). Unlike the other categories, CMA radio entries must reflect performances and events between June 1, 2014 and May 31, 2015. CMA’s panel of judges, which includes U.S. and Canada radio and industry professionals, will be able to view and evaluate each entry online.

“It is central to CMA’s mission as a trade association to recognize and honor excellence in the format,” said Sarah Trahern, CMA Chief Executive Officer. “We take pride in setting the bar for awards presentation and we constantly strive to maintain the highest standards in balloting and voting for the many honors presented by CMA.”

The other 2015 CMA Awards nominees and winners are determined by more than 7400 professional members of CMA, which in 1958 was the first trade organization formed to promote an individual genre of music.

All balloting is officiated by the international accounting firm of Deloitte & Touche LLP.

CMA Broadcast Award winners will be notified in early October and recognized at The 49th Annual CMA Awards, which will be held later this year in Nashville.

Industry Pics: Kobalt, Copyright Society of the South, Vintage King Audio

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Kobalt’s Creative Team at Global Creative Conference

Kobalt’s Creative team, led by Sas Metcalfe, met in Los Angeles, CA on April 20, 2015 at the annual Kobalt Music Publishing Global Creative Conference. Members of the Nashville office were part of the team which got together to educate each other on signings, listen to new songs and learn about Kobalt’s technology and evolving businesses. 

Pictured (L-R): Front row: Benjamin Groff, Simon Moor, Sue Drew, Sas Metcalfe, Johan Ekelund, Matthias Kind, Nick Robinson. Row behind: Bob Bortnick, Amanda Samii, Laura Alexander, Stephanie Cox, Whitney Daane, Miller Williams, Anna Schlafer, Jamie McLaughlin, Amanda Brown, Al “Butter” McLean, Sam Winwood, Sian Walter, Paige Parsons, Swantje Weinert, Sean Dishman, Eve Fairley, Lisa Holmgren, Dominque Keegan, Leslie Ahrens.

Pictured (L-R): Front row: Benjamin Groff, Simon Moor, Sue Drew, Sas Metcalfe, Johan Ekelund, Matthias Kind, Nick Robinson. Row behind: Bob Bortnick, Amanda Samii, Laura Alexander, Stephanie Cox, Whitney Daane, Miller Williams, Anna Schlafer, Jamie McLaughlin, Amanda Brown, Al “Butter” McLean, Sam Winwood, Sian Walter, Paige Parsons, Swantje Weinert, Sean Dishman, Eve Fairley, Lisa Holmgren, Dominque Keegan, Leslie Ahrens.

 

Copyright Society of the South Discusses Spotify Strategy

The Copyright Society of the South recently welcomed guest James Duffett-Smith, Global Head of Publisher Relations of Spotify. During the membership luncheon at ASCAP, Duffett-Smith explained Spotify’s strategy to encourage premium subscriptions.

Pictured (L-R): John Barker, Misha Hunke, John Rolfe, Jill Napier, James Duffett-Smith, Denise Stevens, Karl Braun and Ted Goldthrope. Photo: Kathryn Graham

Pictured (L-R): John Barker, Misha Hunke, John Rolfe, Jill Napier, James Duffett-Smith, Denise Stevens, Karl Braun and Ted Goldthrope. Photo: Kathryn Graham

Vintage King Audio and PMC Host Session At ASCAP Expo

For the sixth year in a row at the ASCAP “I Create Music Expo” in Hollywood, The Professional Monitor Company (PMC) and Vintage King Audio presented a session with music industry leaders. “Production Secrets For Songwriters” addressed songwriters and artists who want to learn the production, arrangement and mix tricks and tips. Leading the discussion were famed producers/mixers Rob Chiarelli and Michael James.

Pictured (L-R) at ASCAP's "I Create Music" are PMC President of Sales & Marketing Maurice Patist; speakers Michael James and Rob Chiarelli; Vintage King Sales Representatives Jeffrey Ehrenberg and Chris Bolitho. Photo: David Goggin

Pictured (L-R) at ASCAP’s “I Create Music” are PMC President of Sales & Marketing Maurice Patist; speakers Michael James and Rob Chiarelli; Vintage King Sales Representatives Jeffrey Ehrenberg and Chris Bolitho. Photo: David Goggin

 

Kelsea Ballerini Drops Debut Album Today Via Black River

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Kelsea-Ballerini-The-First-Time-Black River Entertainment recording artist Kelsea Ballerini is celebrating today’s (5/18) release of her debut album The First Time with a national media blitz.

To kick off release week, fans can join Ballerini for a special #CMchat online tonight at 6PM PT/9PM ET. Tomorrow she returns to hometown Knoxville, TN for a special in-store appearance at Walmart (10900 Parkside Dr., Knoxville, TN) at 6PM EST.

Then, she will jet off to NYC to make her national TV debut on NBC’s Today show on Thursday (5/21) beginning at 10AM in all time zones and take her performance to new heights at the top of The Empire State Building on Friday (5/22).

Produced by Forest Glen Whitehead and Jason Massey, The First Time is home to her Top 10-and-rising smash “Love Me Like You Mean It.”

Currently, Ballerini is co-headlining CMT’s Next Women of Country Tour, the network’s first-ever ladies-only tour, and will also join select dates on Lady Antebellum’s Wheels Up Tour throughout the summer.

“I feel like I’ve been dreaming about, writing, and wishing for this day since I was twelve,” said Ballerini. “To finally get these songs out to people, is really special and something that I’ve been excited about for a long time.”

“This is a such special day for Kelsea and Black River,” said Black River Entertainment CEO Gordon Kerr. “Over the last couple of years, we have been privileged to share in the development of Kelsea’s amazing songwriting talents and artistry. Today, the world gets to hear her heart and we couldn’t be more proud!”

Brad Paisley’s ‘Crushin’ It World Tour’ Kicks Off Over The Weekend

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brad paisley crushin it

Photo: Ben Enos

Brad Paisley launched his Crushin’ It World Tour last weekend, playing to over 50,000 fans in Philadelphia, Raleigh and the Shaky Boots Festival in Atlanta. Supporting acts included Justin Moore and Mickey Guyton.

Fans that have seen Paisley in concert know that his show often includes videos on stage that keep his audience entertained. This tour includes a version of the “Crushin’ It” video that was completely hand-drawn by Paisley and was released last week. It depicts several country music stars as super-heroes and can be viewed here.

Several of the artist featured in the video tweeted their thoughts. A Twitter exchange between Paisley and Dierks Bentley included: Ha! Well, cartoons sober up faster. RT @DierksBentley: thanks..hope jet has autopilot as it looks like I’m drunk…

Luke Bryan also tweeted his approval: Thanks #FlashSmiley! I ran out of gloss white on yer choppers. RT @LukeBryanOnline: this is funny stuff@BradPaisley http://bit.ly/crushinitvideo

Disney, PJM Re-Sign Songwriter Melissa Peirce

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Pictured (back row): Patrick Clifford, VP Disney Music Group Nashville; Ciara Gardner, A&R Coordinator, Austen Adams, Dickinson Wright PLLC; Pat Higdon, President/Owner, Patrick Joseph Music; Stevie Erickson, Sr. Creative Director, Patrick Joseph Music (front row): Melissa

Pictured (back row): Patrick Clifford, VP Disney Music Group Nashville; Ciara Gardner, A&R Coordinator; Austen Adams, Dickinson Wright PLLC; Pat Higdon, President/Owner, Patrick Joseph Music; Stevie Erickson, Sr. Creative Director, Patrick Joseph Music (seated): Melissa Peirce

Disney Music Publishing and Patrick Joseph Music have re-signed hit songwriter Melissa Peirce, who is celebrating her first No. 1 hit, “A Guy Walks Into A Bar,” recorded by Tyler Farr. The Pennsylvania native also has two cuts on Garth Brooks’ recently released Platinum-selling Man Against Machine album.

“The partnership between Patrick Joseph Music and Disney Music Publishing has been a dream publishing home for the last three years and I am thrilled to get the opportunity to continue this roll that we’re on together,” said Peirce. “I have the best publishing team in the business and am honored to work with them.”

Disney Music Group Nashville, VP Patrick Clifford added, “All of us here at DMG could not be more thrilled about our continued relationship with Melissa Peirce. She is a force to be reckoned with. She is the real Melly P.”

Pat Higdon said, “On behalf of PJM, I’m so excited to be extending our co-pub agreement with Melissa Peirce and Disney. Melissa is a triple threat in that she is versatile, talented, and hard working. We’re looking forward to sharing many hits with her.”

2015 Billboard Music Awards Give Nod To Nashville

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Taylor-Swift-BBMAThe 2015 Billboard Music Awards aired last night (May 17) on ABC-TV from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas with Taylor Swift and Meghan Trainor facing off in eight categories. The 3-hour program averaged 11.1-million viewers for live and same-day earnings, with a 3.7 adults 18-49 rating, a year-over-year improvement.

Additional Nashville-affiliated nominees and winners included Jason Aldean, Carrie Underwood, The Black Keys, Luke Bryan, Brantley Gilbert, Blake Shelton, Miranda Lambert, Sam Hunt, and Florida Georgia Line (full list below).

Swift took home eight awards including the fan voted Billboard Chart Achievement Award. She also opened the show with the debut of her highly promoted music video for new single “Bad Blood.” Directed by Joseph Kahn and produced by Swift, the video included cameos from Jessica Alba, Lily Aldridge, Cindy Crawford, Cara Delevingne, Lena Dunham, Selena Gomez, Ellie Goulding, Gigi Hadid, Mariska Hargitay, Martha Hunt, Karlie Kloss, Kendrick Lamar, Ellen Pompeo, Serayah, Hailee Steinfeld, Hayley Williams, and Zendaya.

Pictured (L-R): Hayley Stommel, Tyler Hubbard, Scott Borchetta, Brian Kelley, Brittney Marie Cole. Photo: Twitter.

Pictured (L-R): Hayley Stommel, Tyler Hubbard, Scott Borchetta, Brian Kelley, Brittney Marie Cole. Photo: Twitter.

FGL took home Top Country Artist while Underwood took home Top Christian Song for “Something In The Water.”

With two trophies, Aldean was honored for his Old Boots, New Dirt album (2014) and its FGL-written lead single, “Burnin’ It Down.” Performance duo Trainor and John Legend also received a pair of trophies and debuted a new song, “Like I’m Gonna Lose You,” written by Trainor, Caitlyn Smith and Justin Weaver and produced by Trainor and her Big Yellow Dog mate Chris Gelbuda.

Kelly Clarkson (L) performs. John Legend (C) takes the stage with Meghan Trainor (R). Photos: BBMA.

Kelly Clarkson (L) performs. John Legend (C) takes the stage with Meghan Trainor (R). Photos: BBMA.

Additional top performances included the much anticipated performance of “Girl Crush” by Little Big Town and Faith Hill. Kelly Clarkson also took the stage with her Sia-written ballad “Invincible.”

Presenters throughout the broadcast included Brett Eldredge, Swift and FGL.

Categories are based on album and digital song sales, radio airplay, streaming, touring and social-media interactions tracked year-round (March 10, 2014, through March 8, 2015) by Billboard and its data partners, including Nielsen Music and Next Big Sound. The only fan-voted award was the Swift-received Billboard Chart Achievement Award.

Faith Hill (L) performs "Girl Crush" with Little Big Town, pictured with Karen Fairchild. Photo: BBMA.

Faith Hill (L) performs “Girl Crush” with Little Big Town, pictured with Karen Fairchild. Photo: BBMA.

Full list of 2015 Billboard winners

Top Artist
Ariana Grande
One Direction
Katy Perry
Sam Smith
**Taylor Swift

Top New Artist
5 Seconds of Summer
Iggy Azalea
Hozier
**Sam Smith
Meghan Trainor

Top Male Artist
Drake
Pharrell Williams
Ed Sheeran
**Sam Smith
Justin Timberlake

Top Female Artist
Iggy Azalea
Ariana Grande
Katy Perry
**Taylor Swift
Meghan Trainor

Top Duo/Group
5 Seconds of Summer
Florida Georgia Line
MAGIC!
Maroon 5
**One Direction

Top Billboard 200 Artist
One Direction
Pentatonix
Ed Sheeran
Sam Smith
**Taylor Swift

Top Hot 100 Artist
Iggy Azalea
Ariana Grande
Sam Smith
**Taylor Swift
Meghan Trainor

Top Digital Songs Artist
Iggy Azalea
Ed Sheeran
Sam Smith
**Taylor Swift
Meghan Trainor

Top Radio Songs Artist
John Legend
Maroon 5
Ed Sheeran
**Sam Smith
Taylor Swift

Top Touring Artist
Lady Gaga
**One Direction
Katy Perry
The Rolling Stones
Justin Timberlake

Top Social Artist
**Justin Bieber
Miley Cyrus
Selena Gomez
Ariana Grande
Taylor Swift

Top Streaming Artist
** Iggy Azalea
Ariana Grande
Nicki Minaj
Taylor Swift
Meghan Trainor

Top R&B Artist
Beyonce
Chris Brown
John Legend
Trey Songz
**Pharrell Williams

Top Rap Artist
**Iggy Azalea
Cole
Drake
Nicki Minaj
Rae Sremmurd

Top Country Artist
Jason Aldean
Luke Bryan
**Florida Georgia Line
Brantley Gilbert
Blake Shelton

Top Rock Artist
Bastille
Coldplay
Fall Out Boy
**Hozier
Lorde

Top Latin Artist
J Balvin
Juan Gabriel
Enrique Iglesias
Prince Royce
**Romeo Santos

Top Dance/Electronic Artist
Avicii
Clean Bandit
Disclosure
**Calvin Harris
Lindsey Stirling

Top Christian Artist
Casting Crowns
**Hillsong
Lecrae
MercyMe
Newsboys

Top Billboard 200 Album
Maroon 5 V
Pentatonix That’s Christmas To Me
Ed Sheeran x
Sam Smith In the Lonely Hour
**Taylor Swift 1989

Top Soundtrack
The Fault in Our Stars
Fifty Shades of Grey
**Frozen
Guardians of the Galaxy: Awesome Mix: Vol. 1
Into the Woods

Top R&B Album
Beyonce Beyonce
Chris Brown X
Michael Jackson Xscape
John Legend Love in the Future
**Pharrell G I R L

Top Rap Album
**J. Cole 2014 Forest Hill Drive
Drake If You’re Reading This It’s Too Late
Nicki Minaj The Pinkprint
Iggy Azalea The New Classic
Eminem The Marshall Mathers LP 2

Top Country Album
**Jason Aldean Old Boots, New Dirt
Garth Brooks Man Against Machine
Luke Bryan Crash My Party
Brantley Gilbert Just As I Am
Miranda Lambert Platinum

Top Rock Album
AC/DC Rock or Bust
The Black Keys Turn Blue
**Coldplay Ghost Stories
Hozier Hozier
Lorde Pure Heroine

Top Latin Album
Juan Gabriel Los Duo
**Enrique Iglesias Sex and Love
Romeo Santos Formula: Vol. 2
Santana Corazon
Marc Anthony 3.0

Top Dance/Electronic Album
Avicii True
Disclosure Settle
Calvin Harris Motion
Skrillex Recess
** Lindsey Stirling Shatter Me

Top Christian Album
**Lecrae Anomaly
Casting Crowns Thrive
MercyMe Welcome to the New
NEEDTOBREATHE Rivers in the Wasteland
Chris Tomlin Love Ran Red

Top Hot 100 Song
Iggy Azalea Feat. Charli XCX “Fancy”
John Legend “All of Me”
Sam Smith “Stay With Me”
Taylor Swift “Shake It Off”
**Meghan Trainor “All About That Bass”

Top Digital Song
Mark Ronson Featuring Bruno Mars “Uptown Funk!”
Sam Smith “Stay With Me”
Taylor Swift “Shake It Off”
** Meghan Trainor “All About That Bass”
Pharrell Williams “Happy

Top Radio Song
**John Legend “All of Me”
MAGIC! “Rude”
Nico & Vinz “Am I Wrong”
Sam Smith “Stay With Me”
Pharrell Williams “Happy

Top Streaming Song (Audio)
Iggy Azalea Feat. Charli XCX “Fancy”
Hozier “Take Me to Church”
**John Legend “All of Me”
Sam Smith “Stay With Me”
Tove Lo “Habits (Stay High)”

Top Streaming Song (Video)
Idina Menzel “Let It Go”
Bobby Shmurda “Hot Boy”
Taylor Swift “Blank Space”
**Taylor Swift “Shake It Off”
Meghan Trainor “All About That Bass”

Top R&B Song
Chris Brown Featuring Lil Wayne, French Montana, Too $hort & Tyga “Loyal”
Jason Derulo Feat. 2 Chainz “Talk Dirty”
Jeremih Featuring YG “Don’t Tell ‘Em”
John Legend “All of Me”
**Pharrell “Happy”

Top Rap Song
**Iggy Azalea Feat. Charli XCX “Fancy”
Iggy Azalea Feat. Rita Ora “Black Widow”
Big Sean Featuring E-40 “I Don’t F**k With You”
Nicki Minaj “Anaconda”
Bobby Shmurda “Hot Boy”

Top Country Song
**Jason Aldean “Burnin’ It Down”
Luke Bryan “Play It Again”
Sam Hunt “Leave the Light On”
Florida Georgia Line Featuring Luke Bryan “This Is How We Roll”
Florida Georgia Line “Dirt”

Top Rock Song
Bastille “Pompeii”
Coldplay “A Sky Full of Stars”
Fall Out Boy “Centuries”
**Hozier “Take Me to Church”
Paramore “Ain’t It Fun”

Top Latin Song
J Balvin Featuring Farruko “6 AM”
**Enrique Iglesias Featuring Descemer Bueno & Gente de Zona “Bailando”
Romeo Santos “Eres Mia”
Romeo Santos Featuring Drake “Odio”
Romeo Santos “Propuesta Indecente”

Top Dance/Electronic Song
Clean Bandit Featuring Jess Glynne “Rather Be”
Disclosure Featuring Sam Smith “Latch”
**DJ Snake & Lil Jon “Turn Down For What”
Ariana Grande Featuring Zedd “Break Free”
Calvin Harris “Summer”

Top Christian Song
Francesca Battistelli “He Knows My Name”
Hillsong “Oceans (Where Feet May Fail)”
MercyMe “Greater”
newsboys “We Believe”
**Carrie Underwood “Something In The Water”

Billboard Chart Achievement Award
Iggy Azalea
**Taylor Swift
Meghan Trainor

Music Executives Lead MTSU Student Workshop

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Music industry executives pose with MTSU recording industry chair Beverly Keel, second from left, after a special "New Artist Consultation" workshop for student singers, songwriters and musicians. From left are Shelby Kennedy, vice president of executive relations, TuneCore; Keel; publisher/artist manager Scott Gunter; Courtney Gregg, general manager of Carnival Music; and Chris Oglesby, vice president - creative for BMG/Chrysalis. Photo: J. Intintoli

Music industry executives with MTSU recording industry chair Beverly Keel, second from left, after a special “New Artist Consultation” workshop for student singers, songwriters and musicians. Pictured (L-R): Shelby Kennedy, VP of Executive Relations, TuneCore; Keel; publisher/artist manager Scott Gunter; Courtney Gregg, GM of Carnival Music; and Chris Oglesby, VP Creative for BMG/Chrysalis. Photo: J. Intintoli

Shelby Kennedy, TuneCore vice president of executive relations, brought in Chris Oglesby of BMG/Chrysalis, Carnival Music GM Courtney Gregg and publisher/artist manager Scott Gunter to MTSU’s Bragg Mass Communication Building for a recent workshop for students. The “New Artist Consultation” workshop inspired the school’s singers, songwriters, musicians and future executives.

“With MTSU having so much talent on campus and TuneCore’s passion to educate, equip and empower today’s recording artists and songwriters, I wanted to take the opportunity to assemble generous professional executives to provide industry expertise and feedback for the university’s artists in development,” Kennedy said. “The exchange was personal in addressing the specific concerns and questions of each artist that often go unanswered. It was a special event where executives shared information as ‘catalysts’ more than ‘gatekeepers.’”