Kos Weaver speaks during the 2016 Music Biz Conference. Photo: Music Biz

Several music publishing heavyweights gathered Wednesday (May 18) during the Music Biz conference to discuss the evolving role of artist and songwriter development in the world of independent music publishing. John Ozier of ole moderated the panel Indie Publishing 2016: How Artist And Songwriter Development Is Changing The Independent Publisher. The panel included MusicSunk/LoudLab Ventures’ John Pisciotta, Wrensong’s Ree Buchanan, and BMG Music Rights Management’s Kos Weaver.

Much of the panel consisted of advice to rising singer-songwriters.

Buchanan stated that publishers typically first hear new songwriters through other industry contacts. She said, “Usually BMI or ASCAP will send them to me, or I might hear of a new talent through another publisher who perhaps can’t sign that particular artist-writer at the time.” She noted that she has signed a writer after hearing them through ASCAP’s GPS program, and has kept in touch with writers who have shown songwriting potential, and who have gone through such programs offered by the PROs.

Weaver agreed. “The PROs are a great place to do the workshops they offer, and they can give you an idea of where you are creatively.”

Ree Buchanan speaks during the 2016 Music Biz conference. Photo: Music Biz

The publishers agreed that word of mouth and social media also have a strong influence on signings and on creating buzz around rising artist-writers, citing the success and publishing and label signings for Kane Brown, who amassed an impressive number of followers on social media before ever signing major deals.

“His management is a genius with social media marketing, and blew up those numbers almost single-handedly,” says Buchanan.

Weaver noted that information on new writers and artists flows freely through the offices, both domestic and international, of BMG Rights Management. As an example, he said that an employee in a non-creative department at his office was one of the first to advocate for the talent of Margo Price, long before she appeared on Saturday Night Live in April.

Ozier also touched on the growing power of the writer-producer in Nashville, as producers often produce songs they have co-written. “I’ve never seen it so camp-based in Nashville, ever. After 50 weeks, 20 of those weeks were controlled by five writers.”

John Ozier speaks during Music Biz 2016. Photo: Music Biz

“I’ve seen it come and go over the years,” said Weaver, “and it’s coming more now. Just the fact that someone with a laptop can make a great song, and in the co-write they start working on the production of the track. And now, artists use multiple producers on a record, much like pop.”

Regardless of the many avenues for songwriters and artists to break through in today’s music industry, all the participants agreed on the importance of work ethic, and constant writing.

Pisciotta said, “In the ’90s, Brett James couldn’t get arrested. He couldn’t get a cut but he kept writing. Then he ended up getting his first song cut, and he had that catalog of about 10 years worth of writing, which turned into something like 40-60 cuts over the next several months.”

Ozier offered his own story of songwriting success. “In 2011, we acquired a catalog that had a song from 2008 that had been co-written by Danny Green and a guy named Chris Stapleton, called ‘Fire Away.’ That song was written in 2008, but it made it onto Stapleton’s Traveller album, which sold more than one million copies.”

John Pisciotta during the 2016 Music Biz conference. Photo: Music Biz

Pictured (L-R): Jimi Westbrook, Karen Fairchild, James Donio, Philip Sweet, Kimberly Schlapman. Photo: Music Biz

Little Big Town accepted the Artist of the Year award from the Music Business Association at the annual Music Biz conference in downtown Nashville on Wednesday afternoon (May 18).

They received the all-genre award from Music Biz President James Donio. Although they did not perform, each member of the band had kind words to share for their business team.

“Thank you to Jim and Music Business Association. We’re so appreciative of this honor,” said Jimi Westbrook. “If there’s anything we know after our long journey as a band is how important it is to have an amazing team of people around you that share your passion and believe in you and work endlessly. And we are so blessed to have that. In the whole gamut of our world, we are surrounded by amazing people and we love you guys so much. That means so much to us.”

Little Big Town backstage at Music Biz. Photo: Music Biz

“Absolutely. Our quarterback on our team is Sandbox Management,” noted Kimberly Schlapman. “We have the best management company in town, pretty much. They changed our lives. Jason Owen, Bobby Simmons and Leslie Cohea are here, and Kelly Russell, and everybody at that office does everything for us. We’re so grateful. And O’Neil Hagaman—our business managers who pay our taxes, and then tell us we need to stop buying new shoes!”

“They’ve been around longer than anybody. They were with us many years and didn’t make a dime,” Westbrook interjected.

Pictured (L-R): Sam Hunt’s manager Brad Belanger, James Donio. Photo: Music Biz

“Yes, thanks for being around,” added Phillip Sweet. “And nothing would be what this is without our road life and touring and Creative Artists Agency—Darin Murphy and our team. The amazing work that’s done arranging and figuring out schedules, and where to put us and what towns for us to play in … it’s mind-numbing to do the work you guys do, so thank you for working endless hours to make that possible. We just love playing live. It’s the connection that makes all this worthwhile. It’s incredible, so thank you.”

“Our label over here – Mike Dungan, Cindy Mabe, everyone at UMG. I don’t know what year this is together, that we’ve been putting music out. A long time. And thank you for letting us follow our every whim, and you always do. We just appreciate the team the hard work there. So thank you very much,” said Karen Fairchild.

“Nashville, you’ve been so good to us, and the writers here. We’re blessed to live in such a creative community,” she added. “Thank you for the gift of these wonderful songs and for collaborating with us. We love you very much and thank you for this great honor.”

Cheap Trick’s Rick Nielsen, Tom Petersson, Halsey, Cheap Trick’s Robin Zander. Photo: Music Biz

Breakthrough Artist awards were given to alternative pop star Halsey and MCA Nashville artist Sam Hunt, who was unable to attend due to illness; his award was accepted by manager Brad Belanger.

The Chairman’s Award for Sustained Creative Achievement went to Big Machine Records artist Cheap Trick. During brief remarks at the podium, they thanked Scott Borchetta and Vector Management founder Ken Levitan for giving them a platform to continue working. Cheap Trick was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame this year and released a new album, Bang, Zoom, Crazy … Hello on April 1.

The Harry Chapin Memorial Humanitarian Award was presented to the T.J. Martell Foundation, accepted by CEO Laura Heatherly. The latter award was presented by Chapin’s widow, Sandy Chapin. A video speech from Tony Martell, who founded the organization in memory of his son, was screened as well.

Pictured (L-R): Sandy Chapin, James Donio, Laura Heatherly. Photo: Music Biz

The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum will explore Zac Brown Band’s rise to fame in Homegrown: Zac Brown Band, a career-spanning exhibition that opens July 22 and runs through July 2017. The exhibition will include stage wear, guitars, song manuscripts, photos and more from the band’s personal collection.

“It’s an incredible honor to have the history of our band captured by the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum,” says Zac Brown. “From day one, it has always been about connecting with our fans by writing songs that come from our hearts, performing at our best, and creating unique ways to engage with them beyond the stage. It has been a crazy journey, and we’ve grown as musicians, as performers, and as individuals. We thank our fans for all their support and hope they enjoy the exhibit as much as we do.”

“Zac Brown Band did not set out to be country music stars,” says museum CEO Kyle Young. “Instead they ignored genre restrictions and focused on creating upbeat and soulful sounds that resonated with fans. Fifteen No. 1 hits later, they are one of the most innovative groups in country music today. With this exhibition we will trace the band’s organic path to stardom that can only be described as ‘homegrown.’”

Formed in Atlanta in 2002, the band scored their first hit in 2008 with “Chicken Fried” and have been making radio history ever since. Eight members strong, the band’s lineup includes Zac Brown (lead vocals/guitar/piano/bass/banjo), Jimmy De Martini (violin/vocals), John Driskell Hopkins (banjo/guitar/vocals), Coy Bowles (guitar/keys/banjo/vocals), Clay Cook (guitar/keys/mandolin/vocals), Chris Fryar (drums/vocals), Daniel de los Reyes (percussion) and Matt Mangano (bass/vocals).

In 2015 their stadium tour made history with the first-ever, three-night sell-out at Fenway Park (105,000 tickets). Expanding their pre-show “Eat & Greet” ritual, the band has established the annual Southern Ground Music & Food Festival, an experience that allows Zac Brown Band to bring together their love of eclectic music and authentic food.

Over the years, the band has showcased their diverse musical tastes through collaborative performances with Gregg Allman, Jimmy Buffett, Chris Cornell, Dave Grohl, Alan Jackson, Bonnie Raitt, Bruce Springsteen and James Taylor, among many others.

Off stage, Brown, a former camp counselor, has devoted his time to launching Camp Southern Ground, a destination that will allow children to overcome academic, social and emotional difficulties so that they might reach their full potential. The state-of-the-art campus will have activities to challenge, educate and inspire campers, with a special emphasis on children with neurobehavioral disorders, social or emotional challenges, and those with family members serving in the military.