Daniel Lee Promoted To VP, Creative At BMG Nashville

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Daniel Lee

BMG has elevated Daniel Lee to VP Creative, BMG Nashville. Overseeing a roster of domestic and international hit songwriters, Lee will continue to report to Kos Weaver, EVP BMG Nashville.

Involved in music publishing since relocating to Nashville in 2005, Lee joined BMG in early 2012. His focus will continue to be on acquiring and developing talent, along with creating opportunities in the marketplace for BMG songwriters including Hillary Lindsey, busbee, Brett Beavers, Jim McCormick, Dave Barnes, and Jonny Price, as well as signed artists Clare Dunn and Carly Pearce.

During his tenure at BMG, Lee’s roster of writers and producers have been nominated for five Grammy Awards, 10 ACM Awards, and 10 CMA Awards. In addition, his BMG songwriters have accumulated over a dozen No. 1 singles, securing a number of high profile song placements and singles with artists ranging from Lady Gaga, P!nk, and Hailee Steinfeld to Keith Urban, Maren Morris, Carrie Underwood, and Thomas Rhett.

Weaver commented, “Daniel is one of the most effective music executives I have ever had the pleasure to work with. His gift of nurturing the talent of songwriters and songwriter artists has yielded an impressive string of successes that have meant a great deal to our overall accomplishments. This promotion is well-deserved.”

Bobby Karl Works The 19th Annual Grammy Block Party

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Chapter 560

It was perfection.

It is also official: Tuesday’s Grammy Block Party was the music biz’s social event of the year to date.

Staged at the mini amphitheater in Cumberland Park (May 2) on the East Nashville riverbank, this annual Recording Academy fiesta is now in its 19th year. On every level, it achieved nirvana.

“Who did you have to pay off to have perfect weather the second year in a row?” asked Julian King, one of the many Grammy winners in attendance. “This park is the perfect setting,” commented Martha Moore. “I think this is the kind of thing they had in mind when they built it,” added MusicRow owner/publisher Sherod Robertson.

As always, the event showcased a thorough diversity of genres that blossom in Music City. From the Americana talent pool came singer-songwriter Anderson East. Soul rockers Muddy Magnolias blasted girl power.

I am a huge fan of Moon Taxi, and the homegrown Nashville band did not disappoint. Their bright, jangling, pop-rock set was absolutely addictive.

CeCe Winans is the best-selling female gospel star alive. She took no prisoners as she commanded the stage with horns, backup soul sisters and a blazing band. The event booked the superstar trio Lady Antebellum to represent Nashville’s country world.

The 70-degree weather was super balmy, with a lovely breeze blowing off the water and puffy clouds drifting overhead. Some folks brought blankets on which to lounge on the lawn. Others had portable folding seats. Those on the upper rim of the amphitheater enjoyed café tables and chairs.

But most of us mingled on foot. And there was plenty of mingling to do, since the Recording Academy represents the crème de la crème of the city’s music professionals.

Brett James, Trent Summar, Gary Burr & Georgia Middleman, Kevin Griffin of Better Than Ezra, Mark Bright, George Flanigan and event host Shannon Sanders were among the creative types assembled in the crowd.

From Atlanta came soundtrack composer Brandon Bush. From L.A. came Grammy organizer Nick Di Fruscia. That’s how cool our little Nashville event is considered.

Such industry greats as Rod Essig, Steve Lassiter, Becky Harris, Doug Howard, Fletcher Foster, Debbie Linn, Pat McMakin and Daniel Hill mingled. So did media mavens Hunter Kelly, Ed Morris, Beverly Keel, Jon Freeman, Lisa Konicki, Dan Daley, Eric T. Parker, Haley Crow and Suzanne Alexander.

It was wall-to-wall fabulons, folks – Julie Boos, Diane Pearson, Jeff Balding, Neal Spielberg, David Macias, Christy Walker-Watkins, Chris Keaton, Ben Fowler, Shannon Hatch, Karen Clark, Shanna Strassberg, Hank Adam Locklin, Ellen Truly, Dolly Chandler, Edie Emery, Tracy Gershon, Michael McAnally Baum, yaddada, yaddada, yaddada. If you weren’t there, you should have been.

The Grammy Block Party celebrated Cinco De Mayo a few days early with catering by Moe’s Southwestern Grill. The build-your-own soft taco stations were heaped with spiced ground beef and/or chicken, plus all the black beans, brown rice, lettuce, sour cream, peppers, onions, shredded cheeses, salsa tomatoes, queso sauce and jalapena you could want.

The bars rocked, too.

 

In Pictures: BMI, YEP, Brett Kissel, Shane Owens, Southern Halo, Kalie Shorr, Savvy And Mandy

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BMI, YEP’s 8 Off 8th

Pictured (L-R): Alex Williams; Amelia Varni, Executive Director, YEP; Jason Nix; MaryAnn Keen, Associate Director, BMI; and Ben Danaher.

BMI and YEP presented its weekly showcase “8 off 8th” Monday night (May 1) at Nashville music venue Mercy Lounge. Eight up-and-coming artists gathered to play for a three-hour country night takeover.

Monday’s lineup included Alex Williams, Ben Danaher, Dave Pahanish, Elizabeth Mossell, Faren Rachels, George Shingleton, Jason Nix and Ross Cooper.

 

Crowd Joins Brett Kissel in National Anthem Sing-A-Long

Canadian country artist Brett Kissel was set to perform”The Star Spangled Banner” before Game 3 of the Western Conference Second Round during the 2017 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs between the Anaheim Ducks and the Edmonton Oilers in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada Sunday night (April 30).

Before Kissel started singing, he realized his microphone had stopped working. Not letting that stop him, Kissel encouraged the crowd to join him, resulting in a full stadium of fans, both American and Canadian, singing the anthem together. You can watch the moment here.

 

Shane Owens’ Opry Debut

Pictured (L-R): Dan Rogers, Director of Marketing and Communication, Grand Ole Opry; Randy Travis; Shane Owens; Steve Popovich Jr.; Grand Ole Opry announcer Mike Terry.

Traditional country singer Shane Owens made his Grand Ole Opry debut Saturday (April 29). Special guest Randy Travis was in attendance making the night even more memorable for Owens. Travis is the executive producer for Owens’ current album, Where I’m Comin’ From.

 

Country Popsters Take Over Radio Disney Music Awards

Pictured (L-R): Southern Halo’s Natalia and Christina Morris, Kalie Shorr, Southern Halo’s Hannah Morris, Savvy Shay Burhoe and Mandy Quinn Burhoe.

Sister trio Southern Halo (“Living Like That”) ran into artist Kalie Shorr (“Fight Like A Girl”) and country duo Savvy and Mandy (“Coming Back As A Cowboy”) at the Radio Disney Music Awards in Los Angeles this past weekend.

Pandora Sounds Like Country Concert Set For June 6 Nashville

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On June 6, Pandora will kick off one of the biggest weeks in country music with Sounds Like Country, a live celebration in the heart of Nashville leading up to CMA Music Festival and the CMT Music Awards. The third annual concert, to be held at Nashville’s Marathon Music Works, will feature Jake Owen, Old Dominion, and RaeLynn.

On May 31, check out Pandora’s artist-curated Pandora Sounds Like Country mixtape. The station will refresh on June 14 to include live recorded tracks from the show.

“Pandora’s partnership with the country music community keeps getting better,” said Lars Murray, SVP Music Makers Group, Pandora. “Today’s country is the second-most played station on Pandora. We’re happy to bring Pandora Sounds Like Country back to Nashville for a third year. Jake Owen is in the 99th percentile of all artists in Pandora station adds and has more than 1.7 billion total spins on Pandora. It’s a treat to be working with RaeLynn for a second time, and to reunite Jake with his former tour mates – and fellow ACM winners – Old Dominion for Pandora listeners.”

Owen said, “I’m pumped to perform at the Pandora Sounds Like Country event in Nashville. CMA Fest is such a great week not only for country fans, but for us as entertainers. I love getting to know my fans and I know they listen to music on Pandora. It’s going to be an awesome night, and it will be good to see Old Dominion and RaeLynn– her song ‘Love Triangle’ absolutely floors me.”

Live Nation Offering $20 Concert Tickets As Part Of Summer Promotion

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For a third year, Live Nation is offering fans a big deal on tickets to some of the summer’s top concerts, as part of its “Kickoff To Summer Ticket Promotion.” In honor of National Concert Day, Live Nation is offering tickets for more than 1,000 concerts at various venues for $20, in addition to delivery fees. The promotion will be available for purchase through May 9, or until tickets sell out.

Among the concerts included in the promotion are Florida Georgia Line (with Nelly and Chris Lane), Brad Paisley (with Dustin Lynch, Chase Bryant and Lindsay Ell), Brantley Gilbert (with Tyler Farr and Luke Combs), Dierks Bentley (with Cole Swindell and Jon Pardi), Hank Williams Jr. with Lynyrd Skynyrd, Jason Aldean (with Chris Young and Kane Brown), John Mayer, Lady Antebellum (with Kelsea Ballerini and Brett Young), Lifehouse and Switchfoot, Luke Bryan (with Brett Eldredge), Sam Hunt (with Maren Morris and Chris Janson), and Zac Brown Band, among others.

The promotion launched with a concert at New York City’s Irving Plaza on May 1, which included performances from Aldean, Roots, Nelly, Daughtry and more.

For a full list of artists, please visit livenation.com/20ticket.

 

Tucker Beathard, Ryan Hurd To Follow CMT Music Awards With Nashville Party

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Some fans will no doubt be eager to keep the party going following the CMT Music Awards on June 7, and Tucker Beathard and Ryan Hurd are happy to oblige. The two new artists are teaming up for a high-octane night of after-partying at their first annual Wrecking Ball 2017 show at Nashville’s 3rd and Lindsley immediately following the CMT Music Awards.

Tickets for the show go on-sale on May 5 here.  Both artists have been busy burning up the road in 2017: Beathard recently played Stagecoach and will perform at Summerfest,  Bonnaroo, Lollapalooza 2017 and more this summer, while Hurd continues his trek opening for artists like Thomas Rhett, Maren Morris, and Florida Georgia Line.

Ray Scott Has ‘Guitar For Sale’ This Summer

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Ray Scott is releasing a new album, Guitar For Sale, this summer. The new project, due out June 9, is his sixth studio album and will be distributed through The Holland Group/Sony/RED. Fans got a taste of the first single from the album, “Livin’ This Way,’ in March when Scott debuted it on the Grand Ole Opry.

“When I went into the studio with my friend, and new producer, Michael Hughes, my goal was to do something a little different, something live tracked that’s not so polished, maybe even rough in spots, with the hope we’d come out with a product that had elements reminiscent of the way music first hit my ears when I was a young’un,” said Scott. “It wasn’t my intent to worry about what the rest of Nashville was doing… ‘course it never has been. I’m proud to say I think we accomplished that. My first single, ‘Livin’ This Way’ is based on a classic country music theme – pain. In keeping with my habit of honesty in songwriting, I thought it was a good way to introduce this new project.”

Scott is gearing up for a busy summer promoting the new project, including appearances at the upcoming CMA Music Festival at Storme Warren’s Nashville Navy Party on June 7 and his own fan club/CD release party on June 9.

Ray Scott Guitar For Sale Track Listing:

  • Livin’ This Way    (Ray Scott)
  • Put Down The Bottle  ( Phillip Moore, Ray Scott)
  • The Fire  (Billy Montana, Phillip Lammonds, Ray Scott)
  • Soberin’ Up   (Phillip Moore, Ray Scott)
  • Pray for The Fish  ( Phillip Moore, Dan Murph, Ray Scott)
  • Put Down That Gun  (Mark Stephen Jones, Ray Scott)
  • Growin’ Old   ( Mark Stephen Jones, Ray Scott)
  • Worth Killin’ For   (Ray Scott)
  • Life Ain’t Long Enough  (Phillip Moore, Ray Scott)
  • Doin’ Me Wrong   (Tommy Karlas, Ray Scott)
  • Guitar For Sale   (Ben Hayslip, Ray Scott)

 

Disney Music Group, Patrick Joseph Music Renew Deal With Songwriter Melissa Peirce

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Pictured (L-R): Bradley Collins, Executive Director, Writer/Publisher Relations, BMI; Ciara Shortridge, A&R Representative, Disney Music Group Nashville; Leslie Roberts, Executive Director, Writer/Publisher Relations, BMI; Melissa Peirce; Pat Higdon, President/Owner, Patrick Joseph Music; Austen Adams, Dickinson Wright PLLC

Disney Music Group and Patrick Joseph Music have renewed their publishing deal with songwriter Melissa Peirce.

“I am very happy and excited to continue the roll that Disney, Pat Higdon and I are on together,” Peirce says. “It’s been a wonderful publishing home for the last five years and I look forward to continuing the relationship and success we’ve built together for the years to come.”

In addition to her No. 1 hit single “A Guy Walks Into A Bar,” recorded by Tyler Farr, Peirce co-wrote “Hurt” on Lady Antebellum’s upcoming Heart Break album, and has had her songs recorded by Garth Brooks, Carrie Underwood, Keith Urban, Reba, Hunter Hayes, David Nail (“Red Light”), Lindsey Ell, Sabrina Carpenter, Olivia Holt and several songs for Disney projects, including an original song that will play during Walt Disney World’s iconic fireworks spectacular, “Happily Ever After” to debut May 12.

Sara Evans Enlists Powerhouse Writers For New Album, ‘Words’

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Sara Evans—who recently launched her independent label Born To Fly Records—has enlisted powerhouse songwriters including Ashley Monroe, Hillary Lindsey, Caitlyn Smith and more for the first album on her new label. The project, titled Words, is set for release July 21.

Fourteen female songwriters contributed to the songs on the upcoming project, including Hillary Scott, Liz Hengber, Sonya Isaacs, and Evans.

“When I’m listening to a song, it’s the lyrics and the stories they tell that matter most to me,” Evans said. “Not only is Words the title to one of the songs on my album but in listening to new music for the record, I was always looking for lyrics that moved me and expressed a powerful range of emotions. Women are natural storytellers and I’m proud to have so many amazing female songwriters represented on this record.”

Words finds Evans reuniting with frequent co-producer Mark Bright (2005’s Real Fine Place, 2014’s Slow Me Down). Tracy Gershon provides A&R direction. Evans’ 14-year-old daughter Olivia also contributes background vocals to the record.

Fan packages are available for pre-order beginning today at saraevans.com.

Writer’s Den Music Group Signs Brennen Leigh

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Pictured (L-R): Jody Williams, BMI; Brennen Leigh; Bobby Rymer and Sarah Feldman, Writer’s Den Music Group; Mason Hunter, BMI

Writer’s Den Music Group has signed writer-artist Brennen Leigh to a worldwide publishing agreement.

“I knew within five minutes of hearing Brennen I had to work with her and I am thrilled that we have this opportunity,” says Bobby Rymer, Partner, Writer’s Den.

Brennen Leigh says, “I’m delighted to be a new addition to the incredible roster of creative minds at Writer’s Den. The enthusiasm emanating from this place is infectious. Writer’s Den is unique in the sense that the originality and weirdness that makes true artists unique is clearly valued. I feel right at home here as a writer, and I know my songs are in the best of hands with Bobby and Sarah. Since first meeting Bobby I have been struck by his warmth and contagious love of great music. I can’t wait to see what we can accomplish together.”

Brennen is a member of the band High Plains Jamboree, currently working on an album to be released later this year.