James Slater Extends Publishing Deal With BMG

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James Slater. Photo: Courtesy BMG

James Slater has extended his publishing deal with BMG.

Slater recently celebrated a Top 5 Keith Urban single, “God Whispered Your Name,” that spent seven weeks in the Top 10, as well as the Shy Carter debut single “Good Love.” He has current cuts by Tim McGraw, Trace Adkins, Reba McEntire, and Old Dominion, and his song “Guys Named Captain” (Kenny Chesney) has become a standout on Sirius XM’s No Shoes Radio. The track was penned by Slater as a tribute to his dad and is featured on Chesney’s recent album Here and Now.

Slater has also had songs recorded by Carrie Underwood, Enrique Iglesias, Hootie & the Blowfish, Willie Nelson, Rascal Flatts and many others. His Grammy nominations include Jamey Johnson’s “The High Cost of Living” and the solely written, Martina McBride single “In My Daughter’s Eyes.”

Pictured (clockwise from top left): James T. Slater; Faith Beller, Creative Admin.; Eli Ponce, Creative Director Latin Division; Courtney Allen, Creative Director; Joe Salvo, Director of Operations; Patricia Wittmer, Director Creative Services; Chris Oglesby, SVP; Katie Kerkhover, Sr. Creative Director

“James is fueled by passion. His love of home, travel and music come together in a way that allow him to create music straight from the heart. We are thrilled to be able to be a part of his story and have him continue his journey with our BMG family.  He makes all of us better,” said Chris Oglesby, SVP Creative, BMG Nashville.

“I’m excited, motivated, and grateful to renew my contract with BMG Music. BMG’s legacy speaks for itself, and the Nashville Creative Team has afforded me the opportunity to write the best songs I’ve ever written,” said Slater. “I believe we’re just getting started.”

BMG Nashville Creative Director, Courtney Allen, adds, “We are so excited to continue working with James Slater. He is the kind of writer who brings out the best in everyone he works with and is always raising the bar with his creativity. We are looking forward to being a partner with him on his next chapter and can’t wait to celebrate more success with him!”

Taylor Swift Surprises Fans With New Album ‘evermore’ Dropping Tonight

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Photo: Beth Garrabrant

Taylor Swift has revealed she’ll be releasing a sister album to folklore titled evermore at midnight tonight (Dec. 10). She surprised fans with the news on her socials, and will also release a video for the new song “Willow,” along with the new album.

evermore was co-written and produced with Jack Antonoff and The National’s Aaron Dessner, and features Swift teaming with Haim on a track called “No Body No Crime,” a collaboration with Bon Iver (who also appeared on the folklore album), as well as a song she’s backed by The National on, “Coney Island.” On her socials Swift described the origin of this latest set of songs and how it felt like standing at the edge of a deep woods contemplating whether or not to go in.

The standard edition will contain 15 tracks, but a deluxe physical edition will feature two bonus tracks, “right where you left me” and “it’s time to go,” and Swift offered fans a peek at what the album cover will possibly look like with a photo mosaic on her Instagram page. She continues to thrill fans with surprises during this difficult year—just two weeks ago she released The Long Pond Studio Sessions, a video collection of stripped down, live performances of songs from folklore on Disney Plus.

BREAKING: Shannon Sanders Joins BMI’s Nashville Creative Team

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Shannon Sanders. Photo: Jason Kempin for BMI

Veteran music industry executive Shannon Sanders will join BMI’s Nashville Creative team as an Executive Director. Sanders will be responsible for signing and developing top talent in the Nashville community and supporting BMI’s family of songwriters and publishers. He will report directly to BMI’s Vice President of Creative, Clay Bradley.

“Shannon has been an important source of advice and counsel for me since I joined BMI in March, and I’m thrilled that he will now be a key part of our Creative team,” said Bradley. “He is a Nashville native who has embraced all genres of music throughout his career and his accomplishments reflect the rich musical diversity of this city, which continues to grow and thrive. It is our job to represent the best talent Nashville has to offer, and Shannon’s voice and vision will be invaluable as we continue that mission.”

Said Sanders, “I am excited about my new role at BMI and am inspired by Clay and his vision. As part of this tremendous Creative team, I look forward to helping further the efforts of BMI in our songwriting community and beyond. Being a creator myself, I know the value of this organization. I’ve always been a champion for creators, and I consider it an honor to be able to offer support and facilitate opportunities for my fellow songwriters.”

As a 25-year music industry veteran, Sanders joins BMI as a two-time Grammy, two-time Emmy, and Dove Award winning songwriter-producer with an ear for current trends as well as an appreciation of legacy artists. He is the founder and original Program Director of Nashville’s 102.1 The VILLE, a classic soul and R&B radio station that is committed to playing local artists. Additionally, he has served as musical director to India.Arie for 20 years.

As a respected member of Nashville’s music industry, Sanders is a trusted advocate for music creators. He is involved in numerous organizations, including the Recording Academy (Trustee), NMAAM (National Museum of African American Music), Leadership Music, Nashville Ballet, AIMP (Association of Independent Music Publishers), Country Music Hall of Fame Education Committee, W.O. Smith, and NME (Nashville Music Equality). Sanders also serves as a City Tourism Commissioner for the NCVC (Nashville Convention and Visitors Corporation) and was named as one of the 2016 Black Enterprise 100 Modern Men of Distinction.

Sanders is an alum of Tennessee State University and was recently recognized among the University’s Distinguished Alumni.

The MLC Partners With Software And Service Providers On Data Quality Initiative

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The MLC announced today (Dec. 9) that four music data companies are joining its Data Quality Initiative (DQI), including: Blokur, Exactuals, Music Data Services, and TuneRegistry. Through their work with The MLC, these companies will make it much easier for their users and customers to participate in the DQI and check the accuracy of their musical works data in The MLC’s current database.

The DQI provides a streamlined way for music publishers, administrators, self-administered songwriters, composers and lyricists, and ex-US collective management organizations (CMOs) to compare their musical works data with The MLC’s data to ensure The MLC’s data is consistent with theirs. DQI Participants receive reports highlighting the discrepancies between the data they submit for comparison and The MLC’s data. Using these reports, participants can easily identify those discrepancies and then submit any corrections that are needed. Checking their data and making any needed corrections is one of the best things The MLC’s members can do to ensure they receive all of the mechanical royalties they are entitled to receive from The MLC.

Each company will take a different approach in helping their clients and customers participate in the DQI. Some are integrating new functionality into existing data-related products, services and software platforms that they already offer; others intend to work with their clients one-on-one to help them prepare and submit their comparison files and then review the results.

“We’re excited to work with a wide variety of companies that deal with music data, be they emerging tech startups or legacy players in the music space, because we want to help as many of our members as possible participate in our Data Quality Initiative,” says Dae Bogan, head of third party partnerships at The MLC. “They offer different tiers of service, from high-cost enterprise platforms to economical new software targeting self-administered songwriters and smaller publishers.”

“Our team is committed to making the process of checking data as efficient and effective as possible for all of our members,” says Kris Ahrend, CEO of The MLC. “Enabling innovative companies like these to make it easier for their users and customers to participate in our Data Quality Initiative helps The MLC achieve that important goal. We appreciate their willingness to help support the DQI.”

Companies interested in partnering with The MLC can get started here. More information on the Data Quality Initiative can be found here.

Nashville’s Televised New Year’s Eve Celebration To Feature Moon Taxi And The Shindellas

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Moon Taxi. Photo: Dune Baydoun

Nashville’s 2020 New Year’s celebration, Jack Daniel’s Music City Midnight: New Year’s Eve in Nashville, featuring indie rock band Moon Taxi and powerhouse trio The Shindellas, will be televised on WTVF Channel 5.

Nashville-based Moon Taxi will play for 40 minutes just before midnight. The Shindellas, who fuse jazz, soul and R&B, will perform a 20-minute set earlier in the show.

For the first time in the event’s 12-year history, the New Year’s Eve show will be limited to a televised broadcast and livestream to be watched from home, and there will be no public concert, Note Drop or spectators this year due to COVID-19 restrictions. The show will air from 10:30 p.m. to midnight CT locally, and will include highlights from previous years. CNN will feature the countdown live from Nashville as the central time zone rings in the New Year. Click here for more information on the livestreamed event.

“Music City has consistently hosted hundreds of thousands of spectators to ring in the New Year, and while we are sad to ask the crowds to stay home, we are ecstatic about the opportunity to say goodbye to 2020,” said Butch Spyridon, president and CEO, Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp. “We hope everyone will tune in to enjoy the live music and the start of 2021. You can expect us to be back next year with the biggest show ever. We have some making up to do.”

Last year, Jack Daniel’s Music City Midnight attracted a record attendance of more than 200,000 and generated a record $26.2 million in direct visitor spending with the free concert and Note Drop at Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park. The show and headliner Keith Urban were featured on two national broadcasts: NBC’s New Year’s Eve 2020 and CNN’s New Year’s Eve Live with Anderson Cooper and Andy Cohen. 

Shooter Jennings Signs With Concord As Staff Producer

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Shooter Jennings. Photo: Courtesy Concord

Shooter Jennings has joined Concord’s label group as a staff producer. In this new relationship, Jennings will work closely with Concord’s Chief Label Executive Tom Whalley as a creative executive to develop the current roster, identify new talent, and continue Concord’s tradition of making world-class music for Fantasy Records, Fearless Records, Loma Vista Recordings and Rounder Records.

Jennings kicked off 2020 with a Best Country Album Grammy win for co-producing (with Brandi Carlile) Tanya Tucker’s While I’m Livin’ on Fantasy Records, which was Tucker’s 25th album and her first Grammy. His work on Marilyn Manson’s recently released We Are Chaos (Loma Vista) received media attention around the world and marked the culmination of a year and a half of late-night writing and recording sessions. The sought-after producer also partnered with longtime friend/Fantasy Records artist Lukas Nelson to cut a song originally recorded by their fathers Willie and Waylon, “Mamma’s Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up To Be Cowboys,” which was used as the theme song for the Netflix series The Ranch. Jennings also sat behind the board for Concord Music Publishing songwriter and Guns N’ Roses’ bassist Duff McKagan’s third solo album Tenderness.

“I am excited to welcome Shooter to the Concord creative team,” said Whalley. “His ability to work with a variety of artists is a perfect fit for our labels and their talented rosters. I look forward to not only working with Shooter, but witnessing the impact his creative passion will have on bringing high quality recordings to the world.”

“To have the opportunity to join this [Concord] family is really a dream come true,” said Jennings. “I now find myself with so many more opportunities and resources to make the impact on music I have always dreamed of. Right off the bat, I am grateful for this. I am now looking forward to all the ways I can apply myself and my abilities alongside this great, global team to make great music and keep the world of music that grabbed me at such a young age growing, healthy, youthful, experimental and wild so that it might snatch up another generation of kids like me. I couldn’t be happier with the folks I’m surrounded by, and I’m lit up with excitement for all the work we’re going to be able to do together.”

BREAKING: Jennifer Way Promoted To Senior Vice President, Marketing, Sony Music Nashville

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Jennifer Way. Photo: Matthew Berinato

Sony Music Nashville Chairman & CEO Randy Goodman announced today (Dec. 9) the promotion of Jennifer Way to the position of Senior Vice President, Marketing, Sony Music Nashville. Reporting directly to Goodman, Way will oversee all marketing efforts, which includes artist team leads, brand partnerships, digital marketing, international marketing, media and creative services for Sony Music Nashville and the roster of its three imprints, Arista, Columbia and RCA Nashville.

“Since joining SMN, Jen has exhibited an understanding of and the ability to adapt to the changing nature of the market and its impact on what marketing needs to look like in the future. That’s never been more vital than it is right now,” said Goodman. “I know Jen and the amazing team she will be leading will ensure our market place leadership in that regard.”

“I’m so thankful to Randy for his belief in me and entrusting me to lead this remarkable team,” said Way. “Under his vision and leadership, Sony Music Nashville has become not only one of the most exciting label groups in music today, but also one of the greatest places to work, with a culture that enables our team to thrive. I love the SMN Family—this team and our roster of artists—and I couldn’t be more honored or excited for this opportunity, as we navigate this ever-changing marketplace and continue to write this exciting chapter for Sony Music Nashville.”

Way, who joined Sony Music Nashville in 2016, has most notably led the marketing campaigns for Kane Brown, Miranda Lambert, Brad Paisley, Mitchell Tenpenny and Tenille Townes, among others. In deployment of Sony Music’s international objectives, Way has been extensively involved in SMN’s global artist development efforts and the breaking down of racial and genre barriers for country acts. Following her graduation from Berklee College of Music, she worked at UMG Nashville for over a decade and was integral in launching the careers of such entertainers as Chris Stapleton and Kacey Musgraves.

Way is a a colon cancer survivor, and is passionate about finding a cure for cancer. Blending her personal and professional passions, she helped facilitate Sarah Cannon partnerships with both Brad Paisley and Mitchell Tenpenny. Following Blackout Tuesday, she led the launch of Kane Brown’s “Worldwide Beautiful,” benefitting the Boys & Girls Club of America to advocate for justice and equality for youth.

Way was named part of MusicRow’s 2021 N.B.T. Music Industry list.

She resides in Nashville, Tennessee with her husband Joel and son Liam. Way can be reached at [email protected].

Darius Rucker Joins Effort To Bring Major League Baseball To Music City

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Darius Rucker. Photo: Courtesy FINN Partners

Darius Rucker has joined Music City Baseball as an investor and Music Advisory Board member. Rucker joins fellow artists Luke Combs, Kane Brown, and Justin Timberlake on Music City Baseball’s Music Advisory Board in providing deep music industry influence in the plan for bringing Major League Baseball and the concept of a new entertainment district to Nashville.

“I have always been a big fan of Major League Baseball so I’m excited about being part of bringing a team to Tennessee,” said Rucker. “Nashville is already a great home to several professional sports teams, and I believe baseball is the next step in continuing Nashville’s reputation as one of the greatest cities in the United States.”

“We are beyond thrilled to welcome Darius to our growing team,” said Managing Director of Music City Baseball, John Loar. “His star-power and genuine enthusiasm for this effort will be contagious as we expand our reach and generate excitement throughout Tennessee.”

Music City Baseball is pushing to bring a Major League Baseball team to Nashville with private investment and without the help of government funding. In addition to a team, MCB is partnering with Moody Nolan Architects and former Titans running back Eddie George, who is co-leading their real estate development advisory team, to design a family and entertainment district that will intersect with Nashville’s lively music and sports scene.

MCB is committed to bringing a Major League franchise to Nashville that is built on equity and celebrates diversity. The team name would be the Nashville Stars, in honor of several Black baseball teams that played games in Nashville in the 1940s. Additionally, Music City Baseball has established a partnership with the NLBM that includes a net sharing of revenues from the sale of merchandise bearing the name ‘Nashville Stars’ and cooperation between marketing and social media efforts.

AIMP Announces 2021-2022 Board Of Directors For Nashville, New York, Los Angeles

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Pictured (L-R): Teri Nelson Carpenter, John Ozier, Michael Lau

The Association of Independent Music Publishers (AIMP) has announced its new Board members for 2021-2022, with a new leadership team taking charge at the New York Chapter, and multiple new Board members bringing fresh perspectives to Los Angeles, Nashville, and New York.

In Nashville, Emily Boardman (Hipgnosis Songs) will join the Board as its new Treasurer, while Kendall Lettow (peermusic) will come onboard as Administrative Assistant. The Chapter will also welcome five new Board members: Duff Berschback (Concord), ET Brown (SESAC), Alex Heddle (Big Machine Music), Shannon Sanders (Independent Songwriter & Producer), and Mike Sistad (ASCAP).

“I’m excited to work with our new Treasurer, Board members, and Administrative Assistant, and looking forward to what we hope will be a more traditional 2021,” said John Ozier (Reservoir), AIMP Nashville Chapter President. “We strongly hope we will be able to schedule in-person events to celebrate our Songwriter Series Class of 2020, and get back to the Ryman for our AIMP Nashville Awards. Regardless, we will continue to do everything we can to ensure the Nashville independent publishing community thrives in the new year.”

In New York, long-time Chapter head and President Alisa Coleman (ABKCO Music & Records, Inc. / The MLC) will step down after six years at the helm. Michael Lau (Round Hill Music) takes over as Chapter President, and Debbie Rose (Kokopelli Music Group) is the Chapter’s new Vice President. In addition, Antonella DiSaverio (BMI), Melanie Santa Rosa (Spirit Music Group), and Dana Siegel (Concord) will join as first-time Board members.

In Los Angeles, Frank Handy (Position Music) was elected as the Chapter’s new Treasurer, while Yvonne Drazan (peermusic), Cassie Lord (SyncStories Music), Marla Ludwig (Sony Pictures Entertainment), and Mario Prins (SESAC) will join as first-time Board members. Teri Nelson Carpenter returns as President.

NASHVILLE Board:

Officers:
President – John Ozier* (Reservoir)
Vice President – Ree Guyer* (Wrensong)
Secretary – Chris VanBelkom* (Combustion)
Treasurer – Emily Boardman (Hipgnosis Songs)
Administrative Director – Courtney Kruckeberg (Endurance Music)
Administrative Assistant – Kendall Lettow (peermusic)

Board of Directors:
Duff Berschbeck (Concord)
ET Brown (SESAC)
Mark Brown* (Round Hill)
Robert Carlton* (SMACK)
Courtney Crist* (Mojo Music & Media)
Shannan Hatch* (Fourward Music)
Alex Heddle (Big Machine Music)
Tim Hunze* (Anthem)
Michael Martin* (Endurance Music)
Leslie Roberts* (BMI)
Shannon Sanders (Independent Songwriter & Producer)
Mike Sistad (ASCAP)

*returning board member

Liz Rose Music And Warner Chappell Music Sign Global Co-Publishing Deal With Josh Kiser

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Josh Kiser. Photo: Courtesy Warner Chappell

Liz Rose Music and Warner Chappell Music Nashville have signed a global co-publishing deal with Josh Kiser. This year, Kiser released “The F Word,” “God’s Been Good To Me,” and his latest single, “I’m Never Drinking Again.” The rising singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist has opened for acts Tracy Byrd and Craig Campbell, among others.

In 2019, Kiser signed with artist development company Starts With Music, run by three-time Grammy award-winning producer/songwriter Nathan Chapman and multi-Platinum producer-songwriter Kevin Kadish. Taking cues from outlaw and ’90s country influences, the Tennessee-native is busy in the studio recording new music.