Industry Pics: Maren Morris, Pop Goes Nashville, ASCAP

Maren Morris Takes Part In Bluebird Cafe Documentary

Pictured (L-R): Janet Weir, Red Light Management/42 Entertainment; Ryan Hurd; Maren Morris; Erika Wollam Nichols, Bluebird Cafe COO/GM; Jimmy Robbins; Laura Veltz.
Photo: Rick Diamond

Maren Morris led a sold-out songwriter round with Ryan Hurd, Jimmy Robbins and Laura Veltz recently at the famed Bluebird Cafe. Proceeds from the special performance were donated to The HEROES Fund, Maren’s charity benefiting fine arts programs and music education in public schools.

The event was filmed for Bluebird, the first-ever in-depth documentary about the influence the 90-seat venue has had on singers, songwriters and popular music in general. The film is in the final stages of production and heading towards post-production stage.

Pop Goes Nashville

Top Row (L-R): Brad Kennard (Concord Music), Jen Duke (Concord Music), Dave Villa, Thomas James, Starling, Blake Carter, and Suzanne Strickland (RareSpark Media Group)
Bottom Row (L-R): Carly Strickland (RareSpark Media Group), Julia Knight, Scot Sherrod (RareSpark Media Group), and Katie Jelen (Warner/Chappell Music)

Members of Nashville’s burgeoning pop music community convened at The Steps at WME last night, May 21, for a night of networking and performances during the sixth Pop Goes Nashville (PGN) event and first of 2018. Nashville-based pop producer Dave Villa and up-and-coming pop singer/songwriters Blake Carter, Thomas James, Julia Knight, and Starling each performed several original songs in the round for a capacity crowd, hosted by Concord Music, RareSpark Media Group, Inc.; and Warner / Chappell Music, and sponsored by Regions.

ASCAP Honors Ralph Murphy

Pictured (L-R): Ralph Murphy and Randy Bachman

Longtime ASCAP employee and Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame member Ralph Murphy was presented with Canadian Music Week‘s inaugural “Ralph Murphy Songwriters Inspiration Award” in early May in Toronto. The award will be given each year to the writer who has “had the most impact on the world of songwriting” and was bestowed upon Murphy in a surprise presentation by legendary musician and songwriter Randy Bachman.

• Author
• Recent Posts

Jessica Nicholson

Jessica Nicholson serves as the Managing Editor for MusicRow magazine. Her previous music journalism experience includes work with Country Weekly magazine and Contemporary Christian Music (CCM) magazine. She holds a BBA degree in Music Business and Marketing from Belmont University. She welcomes your feedback at [email protected].

Latest posts by Jessica Nicholson (see all)

• CMA Honors Robert Deaton With Chairman’s Award - December 4, 2020
• Nashville Symphony, Nashville Musicians Association Reach Agreement - December 4, 2020
• Zach Williams’ “Chain Breaker” Is Most-Added On ‘MusicRow’ CountryBreakout Radio Chart - December 4, 2020