Nashville Music Startup Dart Music Files For Chapter 11 Reorganization

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Nashville-based music startup Dart Music, founded by CEO Chris McMurtry, has filed for Chapter 11 Reorganization.

Dart, which launched in 2015, was among the startups in the inaugural class for Project Music, an incubator for music technology startups, housed in the Nashville Entrepreneur Center.

Dart is the first automated platform for independent classical musicians to upload and distribute their music directly to iTunes, Spotfy, Amazon, and more. The services allows musicians to pay a low flat fee, upload their music for digital distribution to online stores, and be able to sell their music without paying royalty fees.

Dart’s Board of Directors, which includes McMurtry, Nashville technology entrepreneur Mark Montgomery, and veteran Nashville music industry executive Joe Galante, approved the Chapter 11 reorganization. Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP is serving as Dart’s legal advisors in the restructuring.

The process allows Dart to continue normal business operations while restructuring the company’s finances and contractual relationships.

“We worked hard to avoid this step,” said McMurtry. “Over the last several months, we’ve attempted to restructure the obligations on our 6% Convertible Promissory Notes. Despite being presented with a number of attractive scenarios to restructure outside of Chapter 11, certain of those note holders have refused to reach an agreement with the company that would allow it to reach new heights by providing it with the short-term liquidity necessary to achieve its objectives. It’s become clear that this process has reached an impasse and that any further delay would unnecessarily waste valuable resources of the company. Our filing today is a result of our loss of revenue during the past several quarters associated with the normal ebbs and flows experienced by start-up companies, combined with the reality that our negotiating efforts with our note holders shows no apparent prospect of a near term resolution.”

“The company, our employees, partners, creditors, and shareholders will be best served by an orderly, court-supervised restructuring,” McMurtry continued. “We filed with a strong core business and the liquidity resources necessary to carry out our restructuring plan. Our restructuring will maintain Dart as the leading provider of metadata services globally. We believe this action will allow us to restore our company and take it to new heights.”

According to a statement, as Dart Music navigates the Chapter 11 process, the business will continue to provide wages, healthcare and other benefits to its associates, fund its 401(k) contributions, and pay suppliers and vendors for the good sand services it receives throughout the restructuring process.

The Stars Align For T.J. Martell 9th Annual Nashville Honors Gala

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Front row (L-R): Co-chair Ali Harnell; honorees Rod Essig, Janet Miller, Dr. Joseph Smith, Scott Hamilton and Louis Messina; Co-chair Danielle Bouharoun and Kimberly Williams Paisley; Back row (L-R): Shawn Parr, Clare Bowen, Frankie Ballard, Charles Esten, Tommy Shaw, John Huie, Kelsea Ballerini, Charlie Daniels, George Strait, Nashville Mayor Megan Barry, Will Evankovich, Joel Katz, Storme Warren, Tracie Hamilton, Brad Paisley and the T.J. Martell Foundation’s Laura Heatherly attend the 9th Annual Nashville Honors Gala at Omni Hotel on February 27, 2017 (Photo by Rick Diamond/Getty Images for T.J. Martell Foundation) [Click photo to enlarge]

By: Sarah Skates

Four decades ago, music executive Tony Martell set out on a mission to raise a million dollars for cancer research. His teenage son, T.J., had made the request before dying from leukemia. Tony had no fundraising experience, but he rallied friends including Ella Fitzgerald and Duke Ellington, and hosted an event that raised $50,000.

Tony Martell died in November 2016, but last night (Feb. 27) his mission continued with the 9th Annual Nashville Honors Gala. Warner Music Nashville Chairman/CEO John Esposito led a tribute to Martell, recounting their friendship and the organization’s beginning. “The torch has been passed to us,” he said, challenging the crowd assembled at the Omni Hotel to make 2017 the “Year of Tony” with record-setting fundraising. While a slideshow of Martell played, Frankie Ballard performed “Helluva Life.”

Last night’s event added $535,000 to the fund for leukemia, cancer and AIDS research, totaling over $3 million raised by the dinner since 2009. The evening was co-chaired by Ali Harnell and Danielle Bouharoun. Boosting the total was a live auction hosted by Storme Warren and Shawn Parr, with top items including a trip to Las Vegas to see concerts by George Strait, and Reba with Brooks & Dunn, which brought in $20,000.

“Friends are continuing on with Tony’s life’s work,” said Master of Ceremonies actor Charles Esten, who credits organizations like Martell for his daughter surviving leukemia at age 2. Today she is in high school. Noting that his character on Nashville has had a rough week with the onscreen passing of “Rayna,” Esten brought out fellow Nashville star Clare Bowen. She performed “Love Steps In” and talked about how she and her brother are cancer survivors. “We were both given two weeks to live—me when I was four and he when he was 25,” she said.

Brad Paisley presents Scott Hamilton with the Lifetime Humanitarian Award at the T.J. Martell Foundation 9th Annual Nashville Honors Gala. Photo: Rick Diamond/Getty Images for T.J. Martell Foundation

Charlie Daniels presented the Medical Research Advancement Award to his urologist, Dr. Joseph Smith. Daniels discussed the doctor’s important work in third-world countries, adding, “What Dr. Smith does is truly an art.”

Brad Paisley honored longtime friend and figure skater Scott Hamilton with the Lifetime Humanitarian Award. “This is a man who spends every waking minute thinking about making the world a better place,” said the singer, who performed “Today” in tribute.

Esten said, “Imagine having an Olympic gold medal be the prelude to your life’s work.”

Since his first diagnosis in the 1980s, Hamilton has been a major advocate in the fight against cancer. He currently has his third brain tumor, and maintains an inspiring, positive outlook. “Every great thing that exists in my life is because I had cancer,” he told the audience.

Eric Church, Tony Martell Lifetime Entertainment Achievement Award recipient Louis Messina, and Katherine Church attend the T.J. Martell Foundation 9th Annual Nashville Honors Gala. Photo: Rick Diamond/Getty Images for T.J. Martell Foundation

Mayor Megan Barry honored good friend Janet Miller with the Spirit of Nashville Award, noting that she is a key figure in the city’s economic development, transportation and civic initiatives. In her honor, Kelsea Ballerini performed “Peter Pan.”

John Huie, President of the Southern Region T.J. Martell board, saluted his CAA co-head Rod Essig with the Frances Preston Outstanding Music Industry Achievement Award. Tommy Shaw of Styx played “Blue Collar Man” in tribute. Huie spoke about Essig’s passion and dedication to his career, and his keen communication skills. “He’s probably going to pass away with a phone stuck to his head,” joked Huie.

Essig recalled that the late Frances Preston once told him, “To lead is to serve,” and discussed his rewarding involvement with the Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital board. “When I look at this award, I see nothing but ‘team,’” he summed.

Eric Church, George Strait, and Kenny Chesney attend the T.J. Martell Foundation 9th Annual Nashville Honors Gala. Photo: Rick Diamond/Getty Images for T.J. Martell Foundation

Louis Messina, recipient of the Tony Martell Lifetime Entertainment Achievement Award, wanted to be in the music business since seeing an Elvis concert at age 7. Messina attributed his career success to “six-degrees of George Strait.” Through his work with Strait, and subsequent tours, he met then-rising stars Kenny Chesney, Eric Church, Taylor Swift and Ed Sheeran.

Strait saluted Messina with his song “Troubadour” and talked about their huge concerts together. Glancing at the crowd, Strait joked, “In fact, I thought there’d be more people here.” Strait and presenter Chesney spoke about Messina’s hard work, dedication to artists, encouragement, big ideas and friendship.

Messina reminded the audience about how it all started, with Tony Martell. “His dreams changed people’s lives and his spirit will always be with us,” he said.

Scott Hamilton and George Strait attend the T.J. Martell Foundation 9th Annual Nashville Honors Gala. Photo: Rick Diamond/Getty Images for T.J. Martell Foundation

Kenny Chesney, Tony Martell Lifetime Entertainment Achievement Award recipient Louis Messina, and George Strait during the T.J. Martell Foundation 9th Annual Nashville Honors Gala. Photo: Rick Diamond/Getty Images for T.J. Martell Foundation

Award recipients Louis Messina, Rod Essig, Janet Miller, Joseph Smith, M.D., and Scott Hamilton attend the T.J. Martell Foundation 9th Annual Nashville Honors Gala. Photo: Rick Diamond/Getty Images for T.J. Martell Foundation

Kelsea Ballerini and Chris Young attend the T.J. Martell Foundation 9th Annual Nashville Honors Gala. Photo: Rick Diamond/Getty Images for T.J. Martell Foundation

Cam, William Michael Morgan, Michael Ray to Play BMI Key West Songwriters Festival

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Cam has been announced as one of the performers at the Main Stage Duval Street Concert during BMI’s 22nd Annual Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association’s Key West Songwriters Festival May 10-14. Joining Cam in the just-announced lineup for the writers festival will be Michael Ray, William Michael Morgan, Shawn Camp, Jeffrey Steele, Liz Rose, Robert Earl Keen, and many more.

The kickoff concert at the Ocean Key Resort Sunset Pier will feature the Dylan Altman Blues Band with special guest Steve Cropper.

“We’re so thrilled to celebrate another great year of bringing top songwriters to Key West. It’s the perfect opportunity for folks to discover their next favorite performer singing alongside a cherished writer in some of the most fun venues in Florida,” says Mason Hunter, Executive Director of Partnerships and Events at BMI. “Charlie Bauer and the great folks at the Smokin’ Tuna Saloon has allowed us to elevate the festival to the next level, guaranteeing a one-of-a-kind and unforgettable experience for performers and attendees alike.”

Festival goers can attend more than 50 free shows featuring more than 200 songwriters during the event, with each day featuring free stages at the southernmost Beach Resort, a sunset show on the Pier House Resort beach, and shows at venues around the city including Sloppy Joe’s and the Green Parrot Bar. Other shows include the annual NSAI “Bluebird at Blue Heaven” show and a closing concert at the historic Casa Marina Resort.

Tickets for the festival will go on sale in mid-March. A complete listing of shows, venues, sponsoring hotels, local businesses, participating songwriters and more can be found at keywestsongwritersfestival.com.

Paula Abdul to Receive Harry Chapin Humanitarian Award From Music Biz

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Photo credit: Randall Slavin

The Music Business Association will present the Harry Chapin Memorial Humanitarian Award to Paula Abdul on May 18 during the Music Biz convention’s awards luncheon at Nashville’s Renaissance Hotel.

Abdul is a spokesperson and advocate for many charitable organizations, including We.org, where she serves as an ambassador helping uplift and empower youth in cities all over the globe. She also partnered this year with Turnaround Arts, a program of the President’s Committee on the Arts and Humanities, to adopt a school in Brooklyn and help foster arts education in schools around the nation. And her work with Avon in 2014 as the Avon Global Ambassador for their international #CheckYourself digital campaign in support of Breast Cancer Awareness month yielded a campaign which garnered half a billion media impressions around the world.

“Paula’s efforts on behalf of youth empowerment, women’s health issues, and arts education are a prime example of what artists can do to give back to their community and the world,” said James Donio, President of Music Biz. “She has truly embraced the public platform that her massive success has provided to improve the lives of those around her. We are so pleased to recognize her with this Award and hope her example — as well as the continuing legacy of Harry Chapin — will remind everyone how important it is to donate time, energy, and influence to charitable causes.”

“I’ve been blessed to be able to do what I love for a living, but it’s helping others that really brings me the most joy,” said Abdul. “The work itself is the true reward, but I hope this recognition will bring further awareness to the causes I fight for and inspire others to do the same. My thanks to the Music Business Association. What an honor!”

Abdul joins a list of previous Harry Chapin Memorial Humanitarian Award winners that includes the T.J. Martell Foundation, Martina McBride, Dee Snider, Annie Lennox, Melissa Etheridge, Norman Lear, Jackson Browne, Bonnie Raitt, Michael Jackson and Harry Chapin himself.

Old Dominion Celebrates Gold Certification For ‘Meat And Candy’

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Pictured: Front Row, seated (L-R): Old Dominion band members; Brad Tursi, Geoff Sprung, Matthew Ramsey, Trevor Rosen, Whit Sellers. Back Row (L-R): Caryl Healey (VP, Sales, SMN), Jim Catino (VP, A&R, SMN), Ken Robold (EVP & COO, SMN), Steve Hodges (EVP, Promotion & Artist Development, SMN), Will Hitchcock (Morris Higham Management), Randy Goodman (Chairman & CEO, SMN), Clint Higham (Morris Higham Management), John Zarling (EVP, Marketing & New Business, SMN), Taylor Lindsey (Director, A&R, SMN) [Click Photo To Enlarge]

Tennessee Brew Works in Nashville was the site for a celebration ceremony for the Gold certification of Old Dominion’s debut album, Meat And Candy.

Band members Matthew Ramsey, Brad Tursi, and Geoff Sprung were in the spirit of the event with gold glittered beards. Along with Trevor Rosen and Whit Sellers, the band was praised on stage by Sony Music Nashville CEO, Randy Goodman. “One of the first albums I listened to when I came back to work at Sony was Meat And Candy,” said Goodman.

He went on to list the certifications that the radio singles received. This included their first No. 1 single, “Break Up With Him,” which was certified platinum. “Snapback” went gold and was the most streamed song for Sony Nashville in 2016. Their latest single, “Song For Another Time,” was also certified gold.

The band was invited to the stage to be awarded their plaques for the gold certification of the album.

Ramsey stated that the band never expected this kind of success. “When you play music, you just want to be heard,” he said. “Thank you to everyone that listened.”

The band then surprised the guests with the name of their next single, “There’s No Such Thing As A Broken Heart.” It will be the first from their next album. The event concluded with the new single being played throughout the bar.

Jamey Johnson Signs With SESAC

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Jamey Johnson, Shannan Hatch

Jamey Johnson has signed with music rights organization SESAC for representation.

“There is no doubt that Jamey Johnson is one of the most successful and well-respected songwriters in the industry,” says John Josephson, SESAC’s Chairman and CEO. “Jamey is a storyteller, crafting lyrics and music that transport listeners to another time and place, whether that place is a war zone or a night out with friends. SESAC is proud to welcome him to our affiliate family.”

“There is an old set of laws on the books where the courts decide how much songwriters get paid,” Johnson says. “It isn’t fair the courts are adhering to these archaic laws that were written before streaming music was even conceptualized. SESAC isn’t bound by those restrictions, so it made perfect sense to join the organization and eventually move my catalog there.”

In addition, Johnson has great relationships with several SESAC staff members, including Shannan Hatch. “Shannan is like family to me, which is another reason it makes perfect sense,” Johnson says.

“The energy at SESAC is something I haven’t experienced in my professional career, and it’s great,” Johnson adds. “I need to be surrounded by people who are motivating me to write. One of those motivators is knowing that I have someone looking after the money generated from my writing, and that I am actually going to get the royalties that I feel like I have earned.”

Johnson is one of only a few songwriters who have won two Song of the Year awards from both the Country Music Association and the Academy of Country Music. George Strait recorded Johnson’s song, “Give It Away,” in 2006 and garnered a No. 1 record, which also won both the CMA and ACM Song of the Year awards. In addition, Johnson took his song “In Color” to the top of the charts and garnered Song of the Year honors from both the CMA and ACM in 2009.

An Alabama native, Johnson moved to Nashville in 2000 after serving eight years in the Marine Corps. Trace Adkin’s hit song, “Honky Tonk Badonkadonk,” was among Johnson’s first cuts as a newcomer to Music Row. That same year, Johnson released his debut single, “The Dollar” from the album of the same name.

His influential 2008 album, That Lonesome Song, was certified platinum for 1 million in sales, and his innovative 2010 double album, The Guitar Song, which debuted at No. 1 on the country album charts, received a gold certification. In 2012, he released a Grammy-nominated project honoring one of his heroes, Living for a Song: A Tribute to Hank Cochran, that paired him with Willie Nelson, Alison Krauss, Emmylou Harris, Ray Price, Elvis Costello, George Strait, Vince Gill and Merle Haggard.

In addition to writing and recording his own music, Johnson’s upcoming projects include co-writes with John Carter Cash of unfinished works of Cash’s late father, Johnny Cash, that were recently found in archives. Johnson also is collaborating on projects with Sammy Kershaw and Willie Nelson.

This spring, he launches an eight-city tour billed as the Stagecoach Spotlight Tour: Jamey Johnson, featuring special guests Margo Price and Brent Cobb.

Tin Pan South Fast Access Passes On Sale Today, New App Available

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Fast Access Passes for Tin Pan South went on sale today (Feb. 28), at 10 a.m. CT at tinpansouth.com.

Fast Access Passes permit patrons to bypass the cover charge at the door and allow advance entrance space permitting. Tin Pan South runs March 28-April 1 at 10 of Nashville’s top music venues.

Tin Pan South is also offering attendees a way to keep track of all the great music happening throughout the five-day event with a brand new festival app. Built by Aloompa Nashville for IOS and Android devices, the app will include features like the ability to add events to a personal schedule, news and social media feeds featuring festival happenings, real-time notifications on the status of shows, map and venue information, and recommendations on exploring Music City.

“This is the silver anniversary of Tin Pan South, and it is our biggest event both in terms of shows and participating songwriters,” said Jennifer Purdon Turnbow, Nashville Songwriters Association International Senior Director of Operations. “The new app makes it easy for attendees to plan how they want to spend their week not only seeing shows but also checking out our amazing city.”

 

 

Industry Pics: Drake White, Brandy Clark, Ryan Kinder, CeCe Winans, Martina McBride, Scotty McCreery

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Drake White Celebrates At CRS

Drake White kicked off the CRS 2017 New Faces show on Friday, Feb. 24 at the Omni in Nashville, TN. His Big Machine Label Group/Dot Records family was there to show support.

Front Row (L-R): BMLG SVP Creative Sandi Borchetta, BMLG President & CEO Scott Borchetta, Drake White, Dot Records GM Chris Stacey, Vector Management’s Trey Wilson
Back Row (L-R): Dot Records Promo Staff Bill Lubitz, Michelle Kammerer, AJ Calvin, Bernadette Gilbbons, Kris Lamb, James Marsh

 

Warner Music Artists Celebrate ‘Warner Wednesday’ At CRS

Warner Music artists including Ryan Kinder and Brandy Clark celebrated with team members during the annual ‘Warner Wednesday’ party held during CRS, on Wednesday, Feb. 22.

Pictured (L-R): Mallory Opheim (WMN), Brandy Clark, Tim Roberts (WYCD), Katie Bright (WMN)

Pictured (L-R): Ryan Kinder, Brad Austin (WXCY), Anna Cage (WAR), Newman (WRBT), Carli Manchaca, Stephanie Holzer (WEA), Devin Dawson, Diane Monk (WEA)

 

CeCe Winans Makes Grand Ole Opry Debut

On Saturday, Feb. 25, Cece Winans made her Grand Ole Opry debut celebrating the release of her No. 1 Billboard Gospel debut, “Let Them Fall In Love.”

Pictured (L-R): Emoni Wilkins, Angela Primm, Gale Mayes, Cece Winans, and Vince Gill. Photo: Chris Hollo/Grand Ole Opry

 

Martina McBride, Nashville Mayor Megan Barry Help Launch CCHI Nashville

Photo: Metro Nashville Government

On Monday, Feb. 27, Women’s Heart Alliance (WHA), Nashville Mayor Megan Barry and country music superstar Martina McBride announced the Cities and Communities with Heart Initiative (CCHI) Nashville, a collaborative, multi-year effort to stop women in Nashville from needlessly suffering and dying from cardiovascular disease (CVD). CCHI Nashville is a first-of-its-kind effort to harness the diversity and energy of the Nashville community to make a broad impact on heart disease and stroke among its women.

In 2017, CCHI Nashville’s five program components will be initiated, including:

  • Caring for the Caregiver, a program to improve cardiovascular health and reduce CVD risk factors among nurses in Nashville’s hospitals and health systems; a clinical study on pregnancy complications and their link to CVD risk factors and CVD; a workforce health initiative through the Office of the Mayor to improve the heart health of female municipal workers; ascreening and prevention effort in collaboration with Tennessee State University to reduce CVD and its risk factors in younger women; and a community initiative centered around one or more health centers and reaching African American, and/or immigrant refugee women.CCHI Nashville is led by a six-member community steering committee that includes WHA, the Office of Mayor Megan Barry, Metro Public Health Department Nashville, Meharry-Vanderbilt Alliance, NashvilleHealth and Saint Thomas Ascension Health.

BMI Sponsors “Toby Keith: My Way” Panel At CRS

Pictured (L-R): Jessica Frost (BMI), Leslie Roberts (BMI), Toby Keith, Dan Spears (BMI) and Bill Mayne, Executive Director of the Country Radio Seminar. Photo: Steve Lowry for BMI.

On Friday, Feb. 24, Broadcast Music, Inc. (BMI) sponsored “Toby Keith: My Way” at CRS where the BMI songwriter and country music icon discussed his career, the strong relationship he has with the men and women of the military, and his dedication to charitable initiatives.

Scotty McCreery Visits CMC During Australia Trek

Pictured (L-R): guitarist Jeff Harper; McCreery; and guitarist Dylan Rosson.
Photo: Scott Stem

While in Sydney, Australia, Scotty McCreery recorded five acoustic performances for CMC, Australia’s 24-hour country music channel. The performances will air on CMC later this spring

Steven Curtis Chapman, Mark Mattingly Form Management Co-Venture

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Photo by: Daniel White

Steven Curtis Chapman and artist manager Mark Mattingly have launched a new management company together, The Stable Collective. The company will focus on growing Chapman’s music through brand development and touring as well as creating strategic partnerships outside the music realm. Future goals for the company, where Chapman will oversee artistic direction and songwriting and Mattingly will head business development, will include working with other emerging and developed artists. No other artists have been announced as part of the venture at this time.

Creative Trust, Inc. handled Chapman’s management for nearly 30 years, and Chapman will still work with Creative Trust for business management duties.

“After 30 years in this space, it’s an exciting thing to be able to bring my years of experience and passion for being a part of creating redemptive and impactful art and join forces with Mark and his expertise in the formation of The Stable Collective,” Steven Curtis Chapman said. “Mark has been a significant part of helping guide my career over the last few years. He’s a very talented, super hard working guy and I’m honored to be partnering with him. We’re excited to explore the new frontiers of music and find fresh ways and means to communicate ageless truth…celebrating and building on the great things that have been accomplished with a firm belief that even greater things are yet to come.”

“It’s such an honor to partner with someone who’s not only as accomplished as Steven is, but who’s also one of the most well respected people in our industry,” said Mattingly. “My years of working with Steven have allowed me to see firsthand that everything he does he does with excellence – from perfecting the craft of songwriting, to his ministry and the way he selflessly and tirelessly cares for people, to the wisdom and passion he’s pouring into this new endeavor we’re launching. We could not be more excited to find and create new, innovative ways to continue bringing great art to the world.”

The Stable Collective is located in Franklin, Tennessee. Mattingly can be reached at 615.236.9373 or at [email protected].

 

Music Knox Names Donny Walker To VP, Strategic Partnerships Role

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Donny Walker

Producer Michael Knox has appointed Donny Walker as Vice President of Strategic Partnerships for his production/management company Music Knox, LLC.

In his new role, Walker will develop unique promotional partnerships in key radio and touring markets nationally for Music Knox and its roster. Walker will work alongside Senior Vice President Shalacy Griffin, who oversees the company’s day-to-day operations, which includes Reviver Records recording artist Michael Tyler. Tyler’s debut album 317 is available March 17, 2017 and he is currently on the “Ones to Watch” tour with labelmates LOCASH.

“I’ve known and respected Donny for a long time. He brings a lot of experience to the table and we are excited to add him to the Music Knox team” says Music Knox President/CEO Michael Knox.

“I’ve always felt that my skill set could help with artist management so joining Michael Knox’s team will be an exciting new path for me both professionally and personally” Walker said. “This is an incredible opportunity; from the first time I saw Michael Tyler perform, it was obvious that he is an extremely talented artist and songwriter.”

Walker recently exited his role as Senior Director of Syndicated Radio for Westwood One where he spent 12 years managing the affiliate sales effort for many award winning nationally syndicated radio shows including Country Countdown USA with Lon Helton, CMT Radio Live with Cody Alan, American Country Countdown with Kix Brooks and The Lia Show. In addition, he was responsible for overseeing the affiliate sales of the Cumulus NASH syndicated product line including Nash Nights Live with Shawn Parr, The Blair Garner Show, Country Gold with Terri Clark and Ty, Kelly and Chuck Mornings.

Walker started his radio career at Billboard Magazine working in the chart department and then joined BDS to launch their first real-time radio-monitoring product Radio Track.

Michael Knox is most noted for his production work with Jason Aldean, as well as production credits for Thomas Rhett (“It Goes Like This”), Trace Adkins (“Just Fishin’” and This Ain’t No Love Song”), Kelly Clarkson‘s collaboration with Aldean (“Don’t You Wanna Stay”), Ludacris‘ collaboration with Aldean (“Dirt Road Anthem”), Luke Bryan & Eric Church‘s collaboration with Aldean (“The Only Way I Know”), Montgomery Gentry (“Where I Come From”), Josh Thompson (“Beer On The Table” and “Way Out Here”) and Frankie Ballard (“Tell Me You Get Lonely” and “A Buncha Girls”) among others.

Michael Knox also serves as Vice President for peermusic Group in Nashville. Under the creative purview of Knox, peermusic Nashville has built itself into one of Nashville’s top independent publishing companies. In 2013 they enjoyed the ASCAP Song of the Year “How Country Feels” (Randy Houser) and in 2016 SESAC honored peermusic with Country Song of the Year “Somewhere On A Beach” (Dierks Bentley).