Industry Pics: Nashville At ASCAP “I Create Music” Expo

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Pictured (L-R): ASCAP Membership Director Beth Brinker, songwriter Ashley Gorley and ASCAP Senior Director Strategic Services Kele Currier attend the 2019 ASCAP “I Create Music” EXPO at Lowes Hollywood Hotel on May 2, 2019 in Hollywood, California. Photo: Tommaso Boddi/Getty Images for ASCAP

Nashville songwriters and publishers took part in the 14th annual ASCAP “I Create Music” EXPO in Hollywood, California, recently.

Ashley Gorley, the six-time ASCAP Country Songwriter of the Year and a writer of 40 No. 1 hits, led a Master Session with ASCAP Membership Director Beth Brinker. The hit songwriter shared the secrets that have made him a go-to collaborator for Nashville’s biggest stars (Carrie Underwood, Luke Bryan, Jason Aldean).
“I’ve always loved to mentor and coach songwriters, to offer advice that may help them cut the time it takes to succeed,” said Gorley. Gorley also joined fellow songwriters Steven Battey (Luke Combs Justin Bieber, Madonna), Dave Kuncio (Dierks Bentley, Selena Gomez, Ty Dolla $ign), Tommee Profitt (NF, Migos) and Chris Farren (Rascal Flatts, Greg Alman, Michael McDonald), on a “Nashville Goes Global” panel. The group discussed Music City’s growing embrace of music from outside genres—pop, hip-hop, dance music—and the effect on contemporary country’s sound.

Pictured (L-R): Combustion Music President and songwriter Chris Farren, Songwriter/Producer Steven Battey, songwriter Ashley Gorley, songwriter Dave Kuncio, and producer/songwriter Tommee Profitt speak on-stage at the ‘Nashville Goes Global’ panel during the 2019 ASCAP “I Create Music” EXPO at Lowes Hollywood Hotel on May 2, 2019 in Hollywood, California. Photo by Tommaso Boddi/Getty Images for ASCAP

Battey stuck around for a “Limitless Songwriting” multi-genre panel, joined by fellow country/pop crossover songwriters Priscilla Renea (Miranda Lambert, Ke$ha, Rihanna) and Leland (Kelsea Ballerini, Troye Sivan, Lauv), with ASCAP’s Jason Silberman, to discuss what it takes to pen hits in a range of sounds and styles.

Lee Ann Womack was on hand representing the genre at the “We Create Music” panel, for a discussion with Oscar-winning “Shallow” co-writer Anthony Rossomando, Drake producer Nineteen85 and Captain Marvel composer Pinar Toprak, led by Billboard‘s West Coast and Nashville editor Melinda Newman. Womack also performed selections from her new record The Lonely, the Lonesome & the Gone at the EXPO’s nighttime “Center Stage” event alongside Wyclef Jean, Songwriters Hall of Famer Jack Tempchin and songwriter Stephen Bishop.

Lee Ann Womack performs. Photo: Tommaso Boddi/Getty Images for ASCAP

Songwriter Priscilla Renea speaks onstage during the “Limitless Songwriting” panel at The 2019 ASCAP “I Create Music” EXPO – Day 3 at Lowes Hollywood Hotel on May 4, 2019 in Hollywood, California. Photo: Tommaso Boddi/Getty Images for ASCAP

Lee Ann Womack performs on-stage at the “Center Stage” Showcase during the 2019 ASCAP “I Create Music” EXPO at Lowes Hollywood Hotel on May 2, 2019 in Hollywood, California. Photo: Tommaso Boddi/Getty Images for ASCAP

Jessica Nicholson
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