BMI Promotes Mike Steinberg, Alison Smith

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BMI has promoted two members of its executive team.

Mike Steinberg has been elevated to EVP, Creative & Licensing, and will lead the newly-named Creative Group, which will encompass BMI’s songwriter and composer teams in Nashville, Atlanta, Los Angeles, New York, Puerto Rico and London, as well as the company’s strategic partnership division. Steinberg will continue to oversee BMI’s Licensing organization, driving all of BMI’s domestic revenue. Steinberg joined BMI in 1996 as Assistant VP of Business Affairs and Licensing and was ultimately promoted to SVP of the group in 2011.

Alison Smith has been promoted to EVP, Distribution, Publisher Relations and Administration Services, working closely with BMI’s publishers on their royalty distributions and administration needs, as well as streamlining the flow of information and developing new data streams, bonus structures and payment methodologies across all music platforms. She will continue to oversee all of BMI’s domestic and international royalty distribution and administration services to its more than 750,000 members. Smith began her career working as an assistant in BMI’s Nashville office and has subsequently held multiple roles of increasing responsibility throughout her 31-year tenure at the company.

Smith’s and Steinberg’s new roles reflect a restructuring of BMI’s Writer/Publisher department following the retirement of Phil Graham, BMI’s SVP of Writer/Publisher Relations, who announced earlier this year that he is leaving the company after a distinguished 40-year career.

Bonnaroo 2018 Dates Announced

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The tents and sleeping bags are packed back up and Bonnaroo 2017 is a wrap, but those already looking forward to next year’s experience will be happy to know that the dates for Bonnaroo 2018 have already been announced and will be June 7-10.

The festival’s 16th year on the farm brought in over 65,000 attendees watching music over the four-day event including performances from U2, a super jam featuring Chance the Rapper performing Outkast’s “Hey Ya,” a bluegrass revival featuring the great Bobby Osborne, and the new Other stage which welcomed thousands of dancing revelers all weekend.

U2’s Bono professed his appreciation for the unique experience, saying “What an extraordinary thing Bonnaroo is. Thank you for naming it after me.”

Grammy Awards Move To Online Voting, Will Recognize Songwriters In Album Of The Year Category

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For the first time, voting members of The Recording Academy will cast their Grammy Awards votes online rather than by paper ballot, according to new rules and regulations established by The Recording Academy. The move will allow greater access and flexibility for the Recording Academy’s 13,000 voting members, including touring artists. The move helps eliminate the possibility of invalid ballots, and protects against fraudulent voting. All voting members in good standing are eligible to vote online in both rounds for the 60th annual Grammy Awards.

“As an Academy, it’s imperative that we continue to meet the needs of music creators everywhere, and this year’s transition to online voting is an enormous step forward in the evolution of our voting process,” said Bill Freimuth, Senior Vice President of Awards for the Recording Academy. “We work diligently to ensure we’re keeping up with our ever-changing industry and team up with music people year round, across all genres and disciplines, to make sure we are doing everything we can to support the creative community.”

The move is one of several following the Academy’s annual review of all proposed amendments, which are voted on and ratified at the Recording Academy’s semiannual Board of Trustees meeting held in May.

Additionally, all music creators, including songwriters, producers, mixers, mastering engineers and featured artists credited with at least 33 percent or more playing time on the winning album will be eligible to receive a Grammy in the Album of the Year category. Songwriters were not previously recognized in this category.

Additional changes for the upcoming 60th annual Grammy Awards are as follows:

Nominations Review Committees Established For Rap, Contemporary Instrumental, And New Age Fields
Beginning this year, Nominations Review Committees will be created and implemented for the Rap, Contemporary Instrumental, and New Age Fields. A Nominations Review process was established in 1989 as an additional round of checks and balances to eliminate the potential for a popularity bias that puts emerging artists, independent music, and late-year releases at a disadvantage. Since then, Nominations Review Committees have been established across 15 awards fields.

Album Definition Expanded To Allow For More Inclusion In Classical, Dance, And Jazz Fields
To be eligible for GRAMMY® consideration, an album must comprise a minimum total playing time of 15 minutes with at least five distinct tracks or a minimum total playing time of 30 minutes with no minimum track requirement. Prior to this amended album definition, the only delineation was 15 minutes and five tracks. The definition expansion allows for greater inclusion of music creators who produce longer pieces, particularly in the Classical, Dance, and Jazz Fields.

Amendments To The Music For Visual Media Field
As a general rule, only one version of a track is permitted for entry in the GRAMMY Awards process. Moving forward, an exception will be made in the Best Song Written For Visual Media category, allowing the film version of a track to be entered in the category, even if a different version of the track is submitted in other categories.

In the Best Compilation Soundtrack For Visual Media category, eligibility guidelines have been amended to require soundtrack albums for a documentary or biopic to contain 51 percent or more of newly recorded music.

Additional amendments were made to the Technical GRAMMY Award qualifications, and procedural updates were made to Nominations Review Committees. For information on the GRAMMY Awards process, visit www.grammy101.com.

The 60th annual Grammy Awards will take place Jan. 28, 2018 at New York City’s Madison Square Garden.

BREAKING: Leslie DiPiero Named GM At Tree Vibez Music

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Leslie DiPiero

Tree Vibez Music has named Leslie T. DiPiero as the artist development and music publishing company’s General Manager. Tree Vibez Music was founded in 2015 by Florida Georgia Line members Brian Kelley and Tyler Hubbard.

In this new role, DiPiero will continue to build upon more than two decades of experience and success in the industry working with and nurturing top songwriters and artists, while advancing the talent and resources of Tree Vibez Music.

“Brian and Tyler have changed the course of musical history as songwriters and artists,” shares DiPiero. “They are unstoppable trailblazers, visionaries, and dream-makers. I am beyond excited to work for them along with their business manager Lou Taylor and Tri Star Sports & Entertainment Group.”

DiPiero joins Tree Vibez Music following tenures with Buddy Killen Music, Beckett Music Group (a co-venture with Almo Irving and Sony), Song Planet, and becoming a partner at Tom-Leis Music.

Under DiPiero’s guidance, the Tom-Leis Music catalog has garnered song recordings by Keith Urban, Luke Bryan, Cole Swindell, Justin Moore, hit TV show Nashville, and many others. In 2013, she opened Nashville’s Advanced Alternative Media office which has garnered over 100 cuts since launching in Music City.

DiPiero currently serves on the Advisory Board of The Women’s Fund of The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee and is an alumna of Leadership Music Class of 2007. She is married to Nashville Songwriters Hall of Famer Bob DiPiero.

Leslie DiPiero can be reached at [email protected].

Granger Smith’s “Backroad Song” Earns RIAA Gold Certification

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Pictured (L-R): President, Repertoire & Marketing, U.S. BMG, Zach Katz; BBR Music Group/Wheelhouse Records’ Jennifer Shaffer; Byron Kennedy; Carson James; Granger Smith; Executive Vice President, BBR Music Group, Jon Loba; BBR Music Group/Wheelhouse Records’ Brittany Pellegrino; Teddi Bonadies; JoJamie Hahr; Lexi Wilson; Renee Leymon

Wheelhouse Records artist Granger Smith recently accepted a Gold certification plaque from the RIAA for his No. 1 hit “Backroad Song.” Alongside reps from BBR Music Group, BMG, his band, crew and support team, Smith received the honor in front of a record crowd during his Riverfront Stage performance at this year’s CMA Music Fest.

“It has been a childhood dream of mine to achieve a national No. 1 song,” says Smith. “Now, with this Gold certification, that dream has been amplified. To my incredible Wheelhouse team, the confidence of country radio, my incomparable band, crew and support team, my family and friends, and all those who make up Yee Yee Nation – I thank you from the bottom of my heart.”

“The minute I met Granger and his team, I knew it wasn’t a matter of if but when he would get his first Gold record,” says Jon Loba, EVP, BBR Music Group. “His commitment to music, touring, alter-ego Earl Dibbles Jr. and feeding his rabid YEE YEE Nation fan base made his signing to BBR/Wheelhouse our fastest ever. The entire label knew we would have long-term success with him, but you can’t predict the short-run. Typical for Granger, the bar was set high with his hope to have a No. 1 airplay single and Gold record on his first single. I am so happy that with the help of our fantastic partners he once again accomplished exactly what he set out to do. Platinum record, here we come!”

Play It Again’s Trea Landon Releases Self-Titled EP

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Trea Landon

Play It Again Records artist Trea Landon released his debut self-titled EP on June 9 during CMA Music Festival.

The six-song EP features five tracks co-written by Landon. Other writers on the project include Play It Again’s Dallas Davidson, along with Ashley Gorley, Kelly Lovelace, Justin Wilson, John Belt, Casey Yarbrough, Bryan West and more.

Landon, a Claxton, Georgia native, caught the attention of hit songwriter Dallas Davidson, who signed Landon to a publishing deal. Since then, Landon has co-written with hit writers and/or artists including Craig Campbell, Chris Young, and Rob Hatch.

“This EP release has been a long time coming – as my debut, I’m incredibly blessed to see this kind of response before it’s even out,” said Landon. “I’m so thankful to Pandora, The Highway and Spotify for taking a chance on my music right out the gate, and I’m looking forward to seeing what fans think of it.”

1. There’s That Smile (Dallas Davidson, Ashley Gorley, Kelley Lovelace)
2. Taking Me Back (Trea Landon, Justin Wilson)
3. A Little Bit (Trea Landon, Bryan West, Casey Yarbrough, Jerry Jacobs, John Belt)
4. Nobody Goes (Trea Landon, Casey Yarbrough)
5. When I Get There (Trea Landon, Nick Alligood)
6. Shot In The Dark (Trea Landon)

GMA’s Immerse Conference Announces Performers For BMI Songwriters Showcase

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The BMI Songwriters Showcase, held tonight (June 13) during this year’s Immerse Conference will feature a solid lineup of songwriters and musicians.

Among those taking part are Danny Gokey, Jonny Diaz, Benji Cowart, Seth Mosley, Jeff Pardo, Ed Cash and Emily Weisband. The event begins at 7 p.m. at Lipscomb University. Individual tickets are on sale for $10.

The Immerse Conference, which runs from June 12-14, is presented by the Gospel Music Association, and offers three days of music workshops, networking opportunities, and performances.

For more, visit experienceimmerse.com.

Taste of Country Festival Draws Record Crowd For 2017

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Photo credit: Patrick Tewey /Taste of Country Music Festival

The 5th Annual Taste of Country Music Festival hosted a record 56,000-plus fans over its three-day run June 9-11 at Hunter Mountain Resort in New York.

The star-packed lineup for this year’s festival included headliners Jason Aldean and Miranda Lambert, and also featured Chris Young, Kip Moore, Tyler Farr, Maren Morris, Joe Nichols, Maddie & Tae, Cody Johnson, RaeLynn, and a host of rising new artists as well. Sam Hunt had to cancel his scheduled Sunday performance at the festival due to illness.

During Saturday night’s show it was announced that Eric Church will be the first headliner for the 2018 festival. The 6th Annual Taste of Country Music Festival will be held June 8-10, 2018. Advance tickets for next year’s event are on sale now through Thursday (June 15) at the festival’s website. For more information or to purchase tickets go to tasteofcountryfestival.com.

Photo credit: Joshua Timmermans/ Taste of Country Music Festival

Nashville Chamber Of Commerce Announces Emerging Leader Award Finalists

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The Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce and YP Nashville have announced the finalists for the 2017 Nashville Emerging Leader Awards (NELAs). The NELAs program is designed to recognize Middle Tennessee’s young professionals under the age of 40 for significant accomplishments in their chosen field as well as their commitment and contribution to the community.

The NELAs program also includes the YP Nashville Impact Award, which honors a business leader making a significant impact in terms of community leadership and professional development of Nashville’s YPs and YP organizations. The 2017 Impact Award winner is Mary Ann McCready, president and founding owner of Flood, Bumstead, McCready & McCarthy.

More than 800 nominations from the business community were received for the NELAs this year, and a committee comprised of a diverse group of community leaders and experts within each industry selected the finalists based on their answers to essay questions, level of professional achievement, demonstrated leadership and community impact.

The Top 5 Finalist in the Arts, Entertainment and Music Business for 2017 are:

Arts, Entertainment and Music Business

  • Tim Gray, Grayscale Entertainment Marketing – CEO
  • Kari Barnhart, Regions Bank – Entertainment Relationship Manager
  • Steven C. Knapp, knapptimecreative, LLC – Director / President
  • Liz Rogers, Anacrusis – Creative Director
  • Katie Veglio, Nashville Education and Community Arts Television – Director of Content and Member Relations

ASCAP, YouTube Ink Voluntary Deal For U.S. Performance Rights

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ASCAP, the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers, and YouTube have signed a voluntary multi-year agreement, effective immediately, for U.S. public performance rights and data collaboration.

The deal combines ASCAP’s database of 10.5 million musical works with YouTube’s data exchange to aid in identifying songwriter, composer and publisher works on YouTube. The agreement is retroactive, allowing ASCAP to be compensated for content streamed on YouTube since the company’s 2013 deal to operate on a compulsory interim license with ASCAP.

ASCAP CEO Elizabeth Matthews said, “This agreement achieves two important ASCAP goals – it will yield substantially higher overall compensation for our members from YouTube and will continue to propel ASCAP’s ongoing transformation strategy to lead the industry toward more accurate and reliable data. The ultimate goal is to ensure that more money goes to the songwriters, composers and publishers whose creative works fuel the digital music economy.”

“YouTube is dedicated to ensuring artists, publishers and songwriters are fairly compensated,” said Lyor Cohen, Global Head of Music at YouTube. “As YouTube delivers more revenue to the music industry through a combination of subscription and advertising revenue, it’s great to see ASCAP take a progressive approach towards the long term financial success of its members.”