Almo/Irving Publishing Plans Family Reunion Show In Nashville

One of Music Row’s most revered song publishers of the 1980s and 1990s will recall its yesteryears with a songwriter celebration on Tuesday, April 18.

More than 20 writers who were once affiliated with Almo / Irving Music are scheduled to perform at Third & Lindsley in a “Family Reunion Show.” They include Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame members such as Mike Reid, Beth Nielsen Chapman, Craig Wiseman and Pat Alger, as well as such tunesmiths as Gillian Welch, Tony Mullins, Anthony Smith, April Barrows and David Hungate.

The Nashville office of Rondor Music was established by David Conrad and Mary Del Frank Scobey in 1981. Known as Almo / Irving for its ASCAP and BMI divisions, it was a creative haven for such talents as Emmylou Harris, Paul Kennerley, Bekka Bramlett, John Anderson, Kye Fleming and the late Kent Robbins and Waylon Jennings.

“There are basically two kinds of music publishers — creative ones and banks,” observes former A&M Records chairman Jerry Moss. “Almo / Irving always sought to remain in the creative camp.”

“There was no better place to learn about songs and songwriting,” comments Darrell Franklin, who came up with the “Family Reunion” concept. “I wanted to figure out a way to that we could celebrate a company that was the foundation of so many amazing careers.”

“Being with the staff and writers and hearing some of the songs that made up the best years of my professional life is going to be a total blast,” says Conrad. Universal bought Almo / Irving and its catalog in 2000.

Proceeds from the “Family Reunion” will benefit the W.O. Smith Community Music School. Doors for Tuesday’s show will open at 6:00 p.m. Showtime is 7:30 p.m.There will be a $20 minimum donation taken at the door. Tickets can also be purchased online at 3rdandlindsley.com.