Artist Updates: Love and Theft, Easton Corbin, LOCASH, Tegan Marie

Love and Theft, Matt Jenkins Team For Adoption Fundraiser

burnudi-baby-concert-poster-1

Singer-songwriters Love and Theft, Matt Jenkins (co-writer behind Florida Georgia Line’s “Confession”), and former Love and Theft member Brian Bandas have signed on for a performance in support of the charity Every Child Deserves Love. In addition to music, the event will feature a silent auction including items from the Chicago Cubs, Boston Red Sox, Disney, Bricktops and more.

The show will take place Dec. 18 at Tin Roof Nashville, beginning at 6 p.m. A $25 donation is requested.

Tickets can be purchased at burundibaby.eventbrite.com or at the door.

 

Easton Corbin Teams With Ram Trucks To Give Back

easton-corbin

Mercury Nashville artist Easton Corbin has partnered again with Ram Trucks for the #RamGivesThanks online campaign. Corbin released the first in a series of videos as part of the campaign. In the first video, Corbin visited a fire station in his home state of Florida to praise their work by delivering hot meals and saying thank you to the first responders for their service. The gesture was personal for Corbin, as his father was a law enforcement officer and veteran, and his step-brother was also a police officer.

 

LOCASH To Perform Postgame Concert For Franklin American Mortgage Music City Bowl

LOCASH

LOCASH

The Franklin American Mortgage Music City Bowl has announced a performance from duo LOCASH at this year’s inaugural postgame concert. Scheduled for approximately 7 p.m. CST on Friday, Dec. 30 immediately following this year’s bowl game, this free event is part of the Bowl Week festivities for the 19th annual event. The concert will take place on the stage at the intersection of 1st Avenue and Broadway.

The duo of Preston Brust and Chris Lucas will also perform the national anthem prior to the 2:30 pm kickoff for the game.

In addition, country/pop rock artist, Megan Ruger, will sing “God Bless America” as part of the pregame festivities. Ruger was a contestant on Blake Shelton’s team during Season 6 of The Voice.

 

Tegan Marie Joins Radio Disney’s Float In Magnificent Lights Festival Tree Lighting

Photo courtesy Sweety High

Photo courtesy Sweety High

13-year-old country sensation Tegan Marie sparkled atop Radio Disney’s float in the Magnificent Mile Lights Festival Tree Lighting parade in Chicago on Saturday (Nov. 19). Tegan Marie waved to the crowd of people along the route and performed her soon-to-be released holiday single “Just Another Night,” available at digital retailers on Dec. 2. The special aired live on Chicago’s ABC7 and will air nationally across 150 markets this holiday season.

 

Dolly Show Brings Music Industry To Huntsville

Dolly Parton performs at the Von Braun Center Arena in Huntsville, Alabama, November 16, 2016. Photo: Moments By Moser Photography

Dolly Parton performs at the Von Braun Center Arena in Huntsville, Alabama, November 16, 2016. Photo: Moments By Moser Photography

Members of the Nashville music industry and media migrated to Huntsville, Alabama last week (Nov. 16) to catch one of the last remaining stops in Dolly Parton’s Pure & Simple Tour which ends on Dec. 10 in Thackerville, Oklahoma.

With caravans and buses heading South, industry members convened at the Von Braun Center Arena to witness one of country music’s most iconic and legendary singers.

Pam Tillis and Dolly Parton

Pam Tillis and Dolly Parton

Backstage prior to the show, Dolly hosted a packed meet & greet welcoming both fans and Nashville industry insiders including Robert Deaton, Sarah Trahern, Damon Whiteside, Pam Tillis, Paulette Carlson, Leslie Fram, Sherod Robertson, Kirt Webster, Danny Nozell, and Steve Lassiter among others.

From the opening number of “Train, Train” to the ending encore of “Hello God” and “He’s Alive,” guests were captivated as Dolly intertwined personal tales between the mega hits that spanned her full career. The retrospective journey included such popular tunes as “Jolene,” “Coat of Many Colors,” “Here You Come Again,” “Islands in the Stream,” “9 to 5,” and “I Will Always Love You.”

The tour also supported the singer’s 43rd studio album, Pure & Simple, by including a performance of the title track and “Outside Your Door” from the new project.

Her stories brought back to life her early childhood and gave respectful homage to her family and how she was raised. She spoke often about growing up in the Great Smoky Mountains and what she learned from her parents Avie Lee Parton and Robert Lee Parton.

Known for her quick wit, she also peppered the show with tall tales and humorous jokes.  

dollywebsterweb

Pictured (L-R): Von Braun Center assistant director Mike Vojticek, publicist Kirt Webster, Dolly, manager Danny Nozell, and booking agent Steve Lassiter.

The superstar also touted her recent accolade as the 2016 recipient of the Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award which was presented to her during The 50th Annual CMA Awards and gave a shout out to the guests from the CMA who were in the audience.

Inspiring the audience by sharing her story of how she worked hard and followed her dreams, she confessed, “I kept dreaming all those dreams about being in show business. I graduated on a Friday night and got on the bus [to Nashville] the next morning with my sack of songs, my head full of dreams and my heart full of hope. And I headed out to try to make it.”

And that she did.

Dolly Parton and MusicRow Publisher Sherod Robertson

Dolly Parton and MusicRow publisher Sherod Robertson

Craig Campbell Kicks Off Holiday Season With Tree Lighting And Parade

 

Pictured (L-R): Aloe Blacc, Michelle Williams, and Craig Campbell Photo Credit: Courtesy of Longshot Management

Pictured (L-R): Aloe Blacc, Michelle Williams, and Craig Campbell. Photo: Courtesy of Longshot Management

RED BOW Records’ Craig Campbell kicked off the holiday season with a performance at the 69th Annual Macy’s Great Tree Lighting in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday (Nov. 20). His set featured his hits “Outskirts of Heaven” and “Keep Them Kisses Comin’” and festive covers including Alan Jackson’s “I Only Want You For Christmas” and the classic “White Christmas.”

As a native of Lyons, Georgia, Campbell was thrilled to participate. He shared the stage with award-winning artists Aloe Blacc and Michelle Williams during the finale performance of “O Holy Night,” complete with fireworks.

The next stop for Campbell is Chicago, Illinois, where he will sing his Top 40-and-climbing single “Outskirts of Heaven” at the 83rd annual McDonald’s Thanksgiving Parade, airing live on Nov. 24 at 8 AM/CT on WGN 9 Chicago or WGN America.

Trisha Yearwood Debuts One-Stop Shop On Amazon

Trisha-YearwoodTrisha Yearwood has teamed with Amazon to create a one-stop shop where fans can access her music and home goods all in one place.

Fans can visit Amazon Music, to purchase and, for the first time ever, download and stream Yearwood’s most recent release PrizeFighter, and the new duets album recorded with her husband Garth Brooks, Christmas Together (Gwendolyn Records/Pearl Records). PrizeFighter and four festive tracks from Christmas Together are also available to stream exclusively on Amazon Music Unlimited, the new on-demand streaming service.

The store is organized by collection, ranging from featured music to accessories. Collections include cookware, items from The Trisha Yearwood Home Collection, her three New York Times Bestselling cookbooks (Georgia Cooking in an Oklahoma Kitchen, Home Cooking with Trisha Yearwood, and Trisha’s Table), as well as PrizeFighter: Hit After Hit.

The Producer’s Chair: Michael Knox

Michael Knox

Michael Knox

Michael Knox makes his fourth appearance on The Producer’s Chair for the year-end Christmas Show, Thursday, December 1, 6:30 p.m. at Sound Stage Studios

By: James Rea

Michael Knox is someone I refer to as “industry royalty.” When he showed me the rare photograph of his Rockabilly Hall of Famer Father, Buddy Knox with his buddy Elvis, I couldn’t help but think about how proud he would be of his son’s accomplishments.

Michael grew up on the road, sitting on the dashboard of his Dad’s Winnebago, listening to Roy Orbison, Elvis, The Everly Brothers and his father on the radio. Young Michael had intensions of following in his father’s footsteps … he says, if only he could sing.

Michael arrived in Music City in 1991 and today he has credits on 19 No. 1 songs, over 30 million singles sold and 14 million albums sold. His stellar production credits include Jason Aldean, Michael Tyler, Thomas Rhett, Josh Thompson, Trace Adkins, Montgomery Gentry, Kelly Clarkson, Eric Church, Luke Bryan, Bush Hawg, Ludacris, Connie Britton, Hayden Panettiere, Chris Carmack, Will Chase, Chip Esten, Hank Williams Jr., Chuck Wicks, Frankie Ballard, Miranda Lambert, Randy Owen, Charlie Daniels, Brantley Gilbert and the first artist he ever produced, the late, great Buddy Knox.

Having just celebrated his 25th year in country music, Knox has served on the GRAMMY Special Committees, ACM and CMA Boards and, his works have been honored with over 50 awards or nominations ranging from the Grammys, ACM, CMA, Billboard, and more.

He operates Music Knox Management, along with Sr. VP Shalacy Griffin. Knox is creative leader and Vice President of peermusic Nashville, which celebrated the 2016 SESAC Song of the Year, Dierks Bentley’s “Somewhere On A Beach,” co-written by Michael Tyler and Jaron Boyer. Peermusic also celebrated the 2013 ASCAP Song of the Year, Randy Houser’s “How Country Feels,” co-written by Neil Thrasher and Vicky McGehee. 

– – –

The Producer’s Chair: Since you’ve been at peermusic, what’s the most valuable thing you’ve learned?

Michael Knox: It’s a family company so it’s more personal. When things are personal, you work harder. It’s also a lot smaller than most publishing companies with this level of success. And when it’s smaller, you’re more focused. Less is more. Quality is first. Always put the creative process in the front.

Next year marks 90 years from the day Ralph Peer recorded the Bristol Sessions (1927) that gave us Jimmie Rodgers (the Father of Country Music) and The Carter Family (the first Family of Country Music). The history at this place is crazy.

Jason Aldean’s new album They Don’t Know is your seventh studio album together. After winning so many awards during that time, what are Jason’s next goals?

He’s a touring artist so his goal is always to have the best quality record to go out and play to his fans. He always wants to cut a record, it’s in his DNA. His goal is always to give that performance the best opportunity and that’s having the strongest songs so when you come to a show, you’re entertained. He wants people to come to a live show and have a place to escape. The energy that we have together creates a very nice live show.

I was shocked when Jason didn’t receive a CMA nomination this year. Was timing a factor?

That shocked us too. We were stunned that he wasn’t in the male vocalist or entertainer category. I don’t know why, but sometimes that happens. The CMAs are awesome, we won Album of the Year for My Kinda Party in 2011 and we were very proud.

Can you talk about Jason’s song selection process?

Jason started out writing, that’s what I signed him to do at Warner/Chappell, but today he is one of the few acts that doesn’t try to write everything. Best song wins with us. You have to stay focused when you’re cutting an album, especially if you want people to invest in your career and buy it. We are out there finding the best songs from all the great songwriters that Nashville has to offer.

Dwight Yoakam and Garth Brooks are always my best examples. They found the best songs whether they wrote them or not. That’s the way you should approach every artist and every album. You have to have the discipline to find the best song for the artist and the project, not just the one in-house because you might make a little extra today. The problem with that is you hurt the project tomorrow and mess up long-term success.

Jason did a duet with Kelsea Ballerini called “First Time Again” on his new album which was written by Michael Tyler and Jaron Boyer. How did that come about?

We loved the song and Jason was going to cut it by himself. But as we were going through the process of the record, it kept feeling like a duet. At the last minute, we found out Kelsea could cut it. She was on the road with Rascal Flatts, so Jay DeMarcus recorded the vocal for us in her dressing room at the stadium in San Diego. It was incredible.

Do you look for the same things in an artist today, as you did when you first met Jason?

I would not be doing anybody a positive service if I wasn’t looking for something I love. I always look for someone that is an extension of me and I saw that in Jason Aldean. I was looking for a Motley Crue in the country world and he did that and still kept his small-town America direction for country radio.

I work best with artists who like the same types of music as me. Michael Tyler is a new artist I’m working with and he is a true singer/songwriter. In this loop-filled world, he brings a little melody to the table, as well as having a grasp on where the music world is going.

Radio has a lot of commercials that they call songs out there. You love them today and forget them tomorrow, kind of like a commercial.

How did you meet Michael Tyler?

His mom sent me a note on MySpace at 2 in the morning. I replied and they came to town and played for me at Tootsies. When he was 15 I started working with him pretty seriously and made him write a song a week and post it on YouTube so I could talk to him about it and see him play and watch what he does. We did that for a few years and I brought him to Nashville when he turned 18. I wanted him to find his voice first. A lot of times, younger writers will follow the big writer in the room so I made sure he had his own thing beforehand.

Is Michael Tyler related to Jimmie Rodgers?

He had been signed to peermusic for about a year and his mom came to see our office for the first time. There was a picture of Jimmie Rodgers on the wall with his signature and she says, “We’re related to a Jimmie Rodgers.” I remember looking at them and saying “Are you kidding me? THE Jimmie Rodgers?” They researched it on ancestry.com and found the direct bloodline that Michael Tyler is a descendant of The Father of Country Music. I took MT to the Country Music Hall of Fame and showed him the video of Jimmie Rodgers performing. He loved it.

Tell me about Michael Tyler signing with Reviver Records and his debut album.

When Reviver heard the song he wrote, “Somewhere On A Beach,” they fell in love with it. But they already knew MT, because he had written songs on the LOCASH record. The other labels that liked MT wanted “Somewhere On A Beach” to be the first single. Reviver’s David Ross felt like we were bigger than one song and offered a great deal for a new artist to prove it.

We have already recorded the album and it comes out early next year. MT wrote or co-wrote all the songs on it.

He has been on his radio tour the past few months with a song called “Crazy Last Night.” We are excited about the new single coming out in January. This will be a big song for him.

What are your thoughts on artist development? Is there a moment when you know they are “ready”?

The biggest part of development is the discipline to be patient. Some guys come in expecting to be superstars now and sometimes the work is not what they signed up for. It’s a process for me, as well, to get to know the individuals I’m working with. You have to give the artist time to develop.

With Jason, I cut a song called “Where Did I Go Wrong” that he wrote with Jeff Stevens. It was sort of Tracy Lawrence meets Tim McGraw at the time. After I mixed it, I called Jason and said, “This is the direction we are looking for.” Then he wrote a song called, “You’re The Love I Want To Be In” that put the icing on the cake. You can’t explain it, but I could hear it.

Of your up-and-coming songwriters, who might have the potential to be a successful producer?

Jaron Boyer is learning a lot right now about production. He has great ears for it. Being a producer is like being a songwriter or artist—you have to have something that makes you unique. He is already a hit songwriter so this transition should be easy for him. I’m trying to make myself available for him to ask questions and bounce ideas off of. Peter Coleman is my mentor. He taught me less is more. Space is your friend, you don’t have to fill every hole up in music, let it breath.

During your 25 years in the business, the model has changed greatly. Looking ahead, what do you see?

Everything is going to change—How we consume music, how we make music, how we get paid for music and even what we call music. Just the past five years have moved ahead more than the 100 years before that. The worst thing we can do is shut the door and think we have the answers. In a creative sense, we are dropping the ball. We need artists more now than ever. We are not developing talent like we used to. Just because the business is moving fast doesn’t mean we need to rush the creative process. The fundamentals of artist development are the same as they always have been. If you want to have success in a creative market, put the creative process first.

Tonight ‘American Supergroup’ Features Jennifer Nettles, Jeffrey Steele, Shannon Sanders

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Jennifer Nettles performs on American Supergroup. Photo: Jeff Xander

Jennifer Nettles will play double-duty this week on Pop TV/MTV’s American Supergroup, performing new single “Hey Heartbreak” in addition to her usual role on the judges’ panel alongside pop/soul artist Aloe Blacc, rock/blues artist Elle King and classic rock icon Jason Scheff (Chicago).

Joining the program to offer guidance to the contestants this week are award-winning songwriters Marti Frederiksen, Jeffrey Steele and Shannon Sanders. The bands were also given instruction from Bobby Bones (iHeartRadio personality), Noelle Scaggs (Fitz and the Tantrums) and Ed Roland (Collective Soul), who shared tips on performance and presentation.

American Supergroup is recorded at Nashville’s Skyway Studios.

The show’s finale airs December 6, and the winning band will be determined by a combination of votes from audience participation, the judges and the producers. The show airs on Pop TV (Tues. 11 ET/10 CT), MTV Live (Thurs. 8 ET/7 CT) and MTV Classic (Fri. 7 ET/6 CT).

Artist Updates: Brooke Eden, Brad Paisley, Corey Smith

Brooke Eden Makes Opry Debut

The Grand Ole Opry’s Dan Rogers; Brooke Eden; Grand Ole Opry member Ricky Skaggs; Grand Ole Opry announcer Mike Terry. Photo: Chris Hollo/©2016 Grand Ole Opry

Pictured Left: Brooke Eden. Pictured Right: (L-R): The Grand Ole Opry’s Dan Rogers; Brooke Eden; Grand Ole Opry member Ricky Skaggs; Grand Ole Opry announcer Mike Terry. Photos: Chris Hollo/©2016 Grand Ole Opry

RED BOW Records’ artist Brooke Eden fulfilled a lifelong dream of performing at the Grand Ole Opry on Saturday night (Nov. 19). Eden made her debut on the historic Ryman Auditorium stage alongside legendary country artists Bill Anderson, Ricky Skaggs, Connie Smith and Ray Stevens.

“I remember the very first time I got to witness what that room feels like, and the only way I can describe it is like baptism day at church. I remember feeling so blessed to just be in the presence of that sacred ground and thinking that could be me one day!” reflects Eden. “I am so grateful that day finally happened!”

The vocal powerhouse rocked a performance of infectious girl-power anthem “Diamonds” and a cover of Hank Williams Sr.’s “Lovesick Blues,” returning to the stage for a second show the same night. Eden’s current single “Diamonds” is rising at country radio and is featured on debut EP, Welcome To The Weekend.

 

Brad Paisley, Label Team Celebrate Country Music Hall of Fame Exhibit

Brad Paisley and Sony Music Nashville execs celebrate the opening of Paisley’s exhibit at the Country Music Hall of Fame. The career-spanning exhibition opened to the public Friday, Nov. 19 and runs through May 14, 2017. Read full coverage of the event.

Pictured (L-R): Olivia Laster (Arista Promotion Specialist), Rusty Sherrill (Arista Regional), Abi Fishbone (Arista Regional), Brad Paisley, Lauren Thomas Fowler (Director, National Promotion), Josh Easler (VP Arista Promotion)

Pictured (L-R): Olivia Laster (Arista Promotion Specialist), Rusty Sherrill (Arista Regional), Abi Fishbone (Arista Regional), Brad Paisley, Lauren Thomas Fowler (Director, National Promotion), Josh Easler (VP Arista Promotion)

 

Corey Smith Slates 2017 Tour

Corey Smith

Corey Smith

Independent singer/songwriter, producer and guitarist Corey Smith will hit the road for a cross country tour beginning Jan. 19 in Monroe, Louisiana. The Great Wide Underground Tour will make stops in cities including Baton Rouge, New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore, and Chicago.

Tickets are available for presale beginning Monday, Nov. 28 and go on sale Friday, Dec. 2 at 10 a.m. via Smith’s website. A full list of cities and tickets will available at coreysmith.com/tour.

 

Date Set For Grammy Noms, New Host For 2017 Ceremony

jamescorden

James Corden will host the 2017 Grammy Awards.

Grammy Awards nominations will be revealed the morning of Tuesday, Dec. 6. The 2016 Grammy Best New Artist, Meghan Trainor, will reveal nominees in the four General Field categories (Best New Artist, Record Of The Year, Song Of The Year, and Album Of The Year) live on CBS This Morning at 8:30 a.m. ET. Immediately following, at 8:45 a.m. ET, The Recording Academy will announce nominations across all 84 categories via press release and on GRAMMY.com.

In February, James Corden, host of CBS’ The Late Late Show With James Corden, will host the 59th Annual Grammy Awards, marking his first year as master of ceremonies for Music’s Biggest Night. Taking place at Staples Center in Los Angeles, the Grammy Awards will be broadcast live on the CBS Television Network, Sunday, Feb. 12, 2017, 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT.

Previously LL Cool J had a successful five-year run as host.

In 2016, Corden hosted the 70th Annual Tony Awards, which had its largest audience in 15 years. In addition, he has hosted England’s Brit Awards four times. Since he took the helm of The Late Late Show in March 2015, the show has won an Emmy Award for Outstanding Interactive Program and achieved its highest ratings since its inception in 1995. It is also known for the viral phenomenon “Carpool Karaoke” which has featured Adele, Carrie Underwood, Stevie Wonder, Lady Gaga, Sir Elton John, and Justin Bieber and set YouTube records, with nearly 2 billion views.

“Thanks to ‘Carpool Karaoke,’ we’ve all been on some incredible rides with James, and The Recording Academy couldn’t be more excited to welcome his passion and enthusiasm for music, both as an entertainer and a fan, to the Grammy stage on Feb. 12,” said Recording Academy President/CEO Neil Portnow. “He’s got big shoes to fill after the magnificent run we had with LL Cool J, but James is a commanding, dynamic showman who is perfect to host the Grammy Awards.”

The 59th Annual Grammy Awards are produced by AEG Ehrlich Ventures for The Recording Academy. Ken Ehrlich is executive producer, Louis J. Horvitz is director, Ben Winston is a producer, and David Wild and Ehrlich are the writers.

Meghan Trainor wins a 2016 Grammy. Photo: Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images, courtesy Grammy.com

Meghan Trainor, pictured at the 2016 Grammys, will announce the upcoming nominees. Photo: Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images, courtesy Grammy.com

High Valley Celebrates Album Release By Giving Back

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Photo: Alan Poizner

Atlantic Records/Warner Music Nashville duo High Valley’s Brad and Curtis Rempel gathered in Nashville with friends from the music industry to give thanks and donate to a worthy cause. The duo celebrated the recent release of their major label debut, Dear Life, while simultaneously raising awareness and donations for charity Food For The Hungry.

Guests were encouraged to sign a cut-out footprint and post to a wall upon arrival to show the impact of the event. A pair of shoes will be donated to communities in Burundi, Africa for each of the more than 200 guests in attendance.

The duo joined Food For the Hungry’s work in 2014, traveling to the poverty-stricken country to share in the organization’s advocacy efforts. Both fathers themselves, Brad and Curtis sponsor three young boys in Kabarore, Burundi.

Atlantic Records / Warner Music Nashville artists High Valley (Curtis and Brad Rempel) performed during their Give Thanks and Give Back event. Photo: Alan Poizner

Atlantic Records / Warner Music Nashville artists High Valley (Curtis and Brad Rempel) performed during their Give Thanks and Give Back event. Photo: Alan Poizner

Of course, the album release celebration also included plenty of music, with the duo performing tracks from Dear Life, including their radio single, “Make You Mine.”

“We are thankful for so much right now – it was staggering to look around that room and see the faces of so many friends in the business who have supported us all these years and allowed us to live out our dreams,” said Brad Rempel.

“And how cool is it that we get to share our thanks and pay it forward at the same time with a donation to Food For The Hungry. Tonight not only celebrated our new album Dear Life but the event directly benefitted the community we’ve gotten to know in Burundi,” shared Curtis Rempel.

The duo recently spoke with MusicRow to discuss their album, and their unique, old-school meets new-school sound.

Photo caption: Warner Music Nashville celebrated the release of High Valley’s major label debut album Dear Life while giving back to the duo’s long-time non-profit partner Food For The Hungry. Photo: Alan Poizner

Warner Music Nashville celebrated the release of High Valley’s major label debut album Dear Life while giving back to the duo’s long-time non-profit partner Food For The Hungry.
Photo: Alan Poizner

Pictured: Shawn Blackney, Artist Relations Manager, Food For The Hungry; High Valley’s Curtis and Brad Rempel; Daniel White, Director of Entertainment Division, Food For The Hungry. Photo: Alan Poizner

Pictured: Shawn Blackney, Artist Relations Manager, Food For The Hungry; High Valley’s Curtis and Brad Rempel; Daniel White, Director of Entertainment Division, Food For The Hungry. Photo: Alan Poizner

Radio Industry Files Anti‐Trust Complaint Against Global Music Rights

rmlcvsgmrThe Radio Music License Committee (RMLC) has filed an antitrust complaint against the new, fourth performing rights organization—Irving Azoff‘s Global Music Rights (GMR)—which begins its own radio licensing for the songwriters it represents on Jan. 1, 2017.

The complaint is motivated by what the RMLC calls “anticompetitive behavior that, if unchecked, would allow GMR to charge the U.S. commercial radio industry monopoly prices to publicly perform musical works in the GMR repertory.” In documents, the RMLC goes so far as to say GMR us unlawful and its desire to seek “substantially higher” and “exorbitant” royalties “would do irreparable harm to our [radio] industry.” Thus, the RMLC seeks more government oversight in the form of a judicial rate—comparable to what the consent decrees governing ASCAP and BMI impose.

According to the RMLC’s industry email, the proposed fees from GMR could increase some stations payouts anywhere from 1/3 to over 1/2 of what they currently pay to ASCAP or BMI. GMR’s “weighted, preliminary” market share is cited by the RMLC to be at most, 5 to 7.5 percent.

The privately‐held, for‐profit SESAC reached a similar settlement with the RMLC in summer 2015. The RMLC is under the belief those types of free market systems create “a bottleneck to, and artificial monopoly over, the works in its repertory.”

The complaint was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania by the law firm of Latham & Watkins, on behalf of the RMLC as the sole plaintiff in the action. Along with the complaint, the RMLC has also filed a motion for a preliminary injunction to prevent GMR from charging radio stations monopoly prices for a GMR license while the litigation is pending.

Writers in GMR’s fold include Nashville’s Shane McAnally, Luke Laird, and Paul Overstreet, in addition to Pharrell Williams, Ryan Tedder and the estates of Lennon and Ira Gershwin among many others.