Industry Ink: AURORA, BMI, Country Radio Hall of Fame, Deluge Music

AURORA Begins Songwriter Series

Pictured (L-R): Left to right: Marty Dodson, Kent Blazy, AURORA’s Rebecca Abrahams, and Greylan James

AURORA, a 4K ultra HD live streaming studio in downtown Nashville, has launched a new songwriter series hosted by songwriter Kent Blazy. In each one-hour episode, Blazy is joined by well-known songwriters and musicians along with up-and-coming artists. Each session is woven with history and musical storytelling. The series is set to include six episodes, performed live-to-tape at AURORA. Early guests include Marty Dodson and Greylan James.

BMI Signs The Damsels

Pictured (L-R) Back row: BMI’s David Preston, producer Brennan Aerts, Stormey Music Recording’s Billy Aerts and producer Jason Hall. Seated: BMI songwriters and The Damsels’ Aubree Bullock and Keenie Word.

Songwriters Aubree Bullock and Keenie Word, also known as The Damsels, signed to BMI for representation on Tuesday (June 14). The Nashville-based country-pop duo has been recording new material and has two tours scheduled with the Armed Forces Entertainment. Their producers are Brennan Aerts of Vinyl Pinups, Jay Joyce collaborator Jason Hall, and Stormey Music Recording’s Billy Aerts.

Country Radio Hall of Fame Induction Tickets Available

A limited number of tickets are still available for the Country Radio Hall of Fame Induction Dinner and Awards ceremony, scheduled for Wednesday, June 22, at the Omni Hotel in Nashville. A cocktail reception will take place at 6 p.m. with the induction ceremony to follow at 7 p.m.

Tickets are available for $130 each and can be purchased by contacting Ashley Silver at ashley@crb.org. Full tables are also available for sponsorship and can be purchased by contacting Holly Freeman at holly@crb.org or Brooke Sanders at brooke@crb.org.

This year’s Country Radio Hall of Fame Induction Dinner and Awards ceremony will honor Blair Garner, Mike & Dana Schuff, and Lisa Dent in the On-Air Category, and Mick Anselmo, Kerby Confer, Jack Reno, Tim Roberts, and Jim Slone in the Radio category. Additionally, Randy Travis will be honored with the 2016 CRB Artist Career Achievement Award and Carole Bowen will be recognized as the recipient of the 2016 President’s Award.

The Country Radio Hall of Fame is dedicated to the recognition of those individuals who have made significant contributions to the radio industry over a 20-year period, 15 of which must be in the country format.

Deluge Music Adds Smithfield

Pictured (L-R): Chris Alderman, Manager, Rough Hollow Entertainment; Stephanie Green, Deluge Music; Mark Friedman, President, Deluge Music; Jennifer Fiedler and Trey Smith of Smithfield; David Robkin, managing member, Deluge Music

Pictured (L-R): Chris Alderman, Manager, Rough Hollow Entertainment; Stephanie Greene; Mark Friedman, President, Deluge Music; Jennifer Fiedler and Trey Smith of Smithfield; David Robkin, managing member, Deluge Music

Deluge Music has announced the signing of Smithfield, the Texas duo of Jennifer Fiedler and Trey Smith, to a worldwide publishing deal. Smithfield is a SiriusXM Highway Find with a top 10 debut on the Highway Top 30 for their single “Nothing But the Night.” They will be playing the Grand Ole Opry on June 25, July 8 and July 16.

“We are thrilled to have Smithfield on our team. How can you go wrong with two driven, talented artists on the verge of becoming a household name?” says Deluge Music President Mark Friedman.

“The Smithfield team is so excited to have this partnership with Deluge Music and their amazing staff with Stephanie Greene in Nashville and Mark Friedman in L.A. The shared vision for our future as writer/artists makes this a perfect match,” said Fiedler and Smith.