Warner/Chappell Brings Global A&R Conference To Nashville

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Pictured (L-R): Jon Platt (CEO, Warner/Chappell Music), Nicolle Galyon (W/C Songwriter), Lee Miller (W/C Songwriter), Liz Rose (W/C Songwriter), Cameron Strang (Chairman, W/C and Chairman & CEO, Warner Bros. Records), Ben Vaughn (EVP, Warner/Chappell Nashville), Tim Nichols (W/C Songwriter), Jody Williams (VP, Writer/Publisher Relations, BMI Nashville)

Warner/Chappell welcomed several of its top executives from around the world to Nashville this month for the publishing company’s global A&R conference. Warner/Chappell CEO Jon Platt chose Nashville for the inaugural event because of the Nashville office’s recent chart success, as well as the city’s deep-rooted support for the songwriting community.

“Nashville was the perfect location to gather our very talented colleagues from around the globe and collaborate in real time, and Ben Vaughn and the Warner/Chappell Nashville team were excellent hosts. The conference allowed us to share ideas, learn from one another, and spawn some potential collaborations—across different genres and coming from different parts of the world—that might have otherwise not have happened. Everyone brought their ‘A’ game and we’re a stronger unit for it,” said Platt.

Pictured (L-R): Warner/Chappell Songwriters Nicolle Galyon, Lee Miller, Liz Rose, Tim Nichols.

In addition to meetings, the event featured a BMI-sponsored evening at the Country Music Hall of Fame — which included a museum tour, cocktails, dinner and a writers round featuring Warner/Chappell songwriters Nicolle Galyon, Lee Miller, Liz Rose, and Tim Nichols—as well as an ASCAP-sponsored dinner at Prima Restaurant.

L-R: Ben Vaughn (EVP, Warner/Chappell Nashville), Jon Platt (CEO, Warner/Chappell Music), John Titta (EVP, Creative Services, ASCAP), Clark Miller (EVP, Operations, North America, Warner/Chappell Music)

Pictured (L-R): Ben Vaughn (EVP, Warner/Chappell Nashville), Jon Platt (CEO, Warner/Chappell Music), John Titta (EVP, Creative Services, ASCAP), Clark Miller (EVP, Operations, North America, Warner/Chappell Music)

“The Nashville music community is proving time and again to be a global ‘Music City’ and it was a real honor for Jon Platt to have the Global A&R Conference in Nashville,” said Ben Vaughn, EVP of Warner/Chappell Nashville. “Warner/Chappell has best-in-class A&R and it was a productive and enriching experience to grow relationships with peers that truly appreciate our extremely talented songwriters.”

“While I speak with my colleagues in different territories on a daily basis, I was still amazed by the sheer power of being in the same room, face-to-face, with the entire global creative team,” said Lars Karlsson, Managing Director of Warner/Chappell Sweden. “It’s apparent everyone’s been hard at work because I heard so much incredibly good music! We accomplished a lot this week, and we all left Nashville feeling very excited about the next phase of Warner/Chappell.”
From L-R: Derek George (W/C Songwriter), Clark Miller (EVP, Operations, North America, Warner/Chappell Music), Michael Martin (VP, ASCAP), Ben Vaughn (EVP, Warner/Chappell Nashville), Brandon Lay (W/C Songwriter), Ashley Gorley (W/C Songwriter), Cale Dodds (W/C Songwriter), Jon Platt (CEO, Warner/Chappell Music), Seth Ennis (W/C Songwriter), John Titta (EVP, Creative Services, ASCAP) Brett James (W/C Songwriter), Marc Emert-Hutner (VP, ASCAP)

Pictured (L-R): Derek George (W/C Songwriter), Clark Miller (EVP, Operations, North America, Warner/Chappell Music), Michael Martin (VP, ASCAP), Ben Vaughn (EVP, Warner/Chappell Nashville), Brandon Lay (W/C Songwriter), Ashley Gorley (W/C Songwriter), Cale Dodds (W/C Songwriter), Jon Platt (CEO, Warner/Chappell Music), Seth Ennis (W/C Songwriter), John Titta (EVP, Creative Services, ASCAP), Brett James (W/C Songwriter), Marc Emert-Hutner (VP, ASCAP)

LifeNotes: Producer/Guitarist John Jennings Passes

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John Jennings. Photo: Clark Thomas

John Jennings. Photo: Clark Thomas

Producer, guitarist and recording artist John Jennings, best known for his work with Mary Chapin Carpenter, died on Saturday, Oct. 17 at age 62. A native of the Washington, D.C. area, Jennings was diagnosed with metastatic kidney cancer in March 2014. He wrote a song about his health struggle at the time titled “I Believe Love Will Save My Life.”

As a young musician in the D.C. clubs, Jennings was introduced to the then-unknown Mary Chapin Carpenter by The Starland Vocal Band’s Bill Danoff (the writer of its hit “Afternoon Delight” and co-writer of “Take Me Home Country Roads”).

Jennings and Carpenter began performing shows together. They recorded an album to sell at their shows in 1986. It was picked up by Columbia Records in Nashville and released as Hometown Girl in 1987.

He co-produced all of Carpenter’s subsequent Nashville efforts, including nearly a dozen Top 10 country hits. These records garnered five CMA Awards and five Grammy Awards. Jennings and Carpenter co-wrote her singles “Never Had It So Good” (1989) and “Going Out Tonight” (1991).

John Jennings has also produced albums for Janis Ian, John Gorka, Robin & Linda Williams, Bill Morrissey, The Rankin Family and Beausoleil. He lived in Nashville for several years, beginning in 1993. As a guitarist, he has played on albums by The Indigo Girls, Iris DeMent, Kathy Mattea, Cheryl Wheeler, George Jones, Joe Diffie, Ricky Skaggs, Darol Anger and Tony Rice. In addition, he has recorded the solo albums Buddy (1997), I Belong to You (1998), More Noise From Nowhere (2001), Four (2005), It’s All Good (2007) and Everybody Sing in 2010.

Born in Luray, Va., in 1953, John Jennings was a self-taught guitarist who began forming bands when he was in the sixth grade. At high school in Falls Church, Va., he played in a number of teen rock bands. Following his graduation in 1973, he played in folk, rock and pop groups. He also did some ad-jingle writing. He was an early member of the hard-rock group Pentagram.

As a result of his success with Mary Chapin Carpenter, he won more than 20 Wammie Awards (Washington Area Music Association). In 1998, he was elected president of the D.C. chapter of The Recording Academy.

Because of his illness, he withdrew from touring with Carpenter last year.

Funeral arrangements have not been announced.

BMI Foundation Announces Nashville Songwriting Scholarship Details

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2016-Nashville Songwriting Scholarship_ web header

The BMI Foundation has established a Nashville Songwriting Scholarship. It will be an annual competition open to emerging country music songwriters nationwide who will compete for a $5,000 scholarship.

BMI Foundation Board Member and Nashville music industry executive, Clay Bradley, serves as Director of the competition.

Entrants must be current students of a U.S. college or university and between the ages of 17 and 24. Entries are open to the following genres: Americana, blues, bluegrass, contemporary Christian, country, folk, and roots. All lyrics and music must be original. Online applications opened Oct. 1, 2015 and must be submitted no later than Feb. 15, 2016. For more information, visit bmifoundation.org/nashville.

The program has been generously funded by Broadcast Music, Inc. (BMI) in celebration of its 75th anniversary.

CMA Awards Add Jason Aldean, Luke Bryan, Sam Hunt, Blake Shelton

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Logo for the 49th Annual CMA Awards

Jason Aldean, Luke Bryan, Sam Hunt and Blake Shelton are the latest artists to join the performance lineup at the CMA Awards.

Aldean is nominated in the Album of the Year category for Old Boots, New Dirt, produced by Michael Knox. Bryan will compete for Entertainer of the Year (an award he claimed in 2014) and Male Vocalist of the Year.

In addition, Hunt is nominated for Best New Artist, as well as Single and Song of the Year for “Take Your Time.” Shelton is on the ballot for Male Vocalist , while “Lonely Tonight,” his collaboration with Ashley Monroe, is up for the Vocal Event trophy.

Previously announced performers include Kelsea Ballerini, Miranda Lambert, Maddie & Tae, Kacey Musgraves, Brad Paisley, and Carrie Underwood, as well as one-of-a kind collaborations from Eric Church with Hank Williams, Jr.; Thomas Rhett with Fall Out Boy; and Keith Urban with John Mellencamp.

Hosted by Paisley and Underwood, the CMA Awards will air live from Nashville on Nov. 4.

 

KP Entertainment’s Kerri Edwards Expands Staff

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Pictured (L-R): Ethan Helms, Jacoby Knott, and Cait Murphy.

Pictured (L-R): Ethan Helms, Jacoby Knott, and Cait Murphy.

Kerri Edwards, President of KP Entertainment (KPE), announced a staff promotion and new hires today for her management firm that handles the careers of Luke Bryan, Cole Swindell, Kelleigh Bannen, CB30, Jon Langston, and Chancie Neal.

Jacoby Knott has been promoted from Executive Assistant to Kerri Edwards to Digital Marketing Manager. Jacoby will oversee all digital responsibilities for the KPE roster, including social media, account programs and new online endeavors. The Paris, Tenn., native graduated summa cum laude from MTSU. She can be reached at jacoby@KPENTERTAINMENT.CO

Ethan Helms has been hired as Tour Digital Coordinator and will be responsible for capturing digital content for all the artists managed by KPE. Ethan will also be a liaison with sponsors on Bryan’s headline tours. Helms is originally from Belzoni, Miss., and graduated from Belmont University. Prior to joining KPE, Ethan was a regional radio promoter for Cold River Records. Ethan can be reached at Ethan@KPENTERTAINMENT.CO

Cait Murphy has been hired as the new Executive Assistant to Kerri Edwards after an internship with the management company. She is originally from Philadelphia, Pa., and graduated from Belmont University. Murphy can be reached at Cait@KPENTERTAINMENT.CO

The company also operates a publishing arm of Peanut Creek Music, a joint venture with Sony/ATV, as well as a partnership with Kobalt Music Publishing representing songwriter Mike Mobley.

Additionally, KP Entertainment has partnered with Fly Hi Productions and operates the management of Luke Bryan’s “Farm Tour.”

Cracker Barrel Preps Home Collection with LBT’s Kimberly Schlapman

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Kimberly Schlapman with daughter Daisy Pearl. Photo: Instagram

Kimberly Schlapman with daughter Daisy Pearl. Photo: Instagram

Cracker Barrel Old Country Store and Kimberly Schlapman, member of country group Little Big Town, have announced an upcoming collection of 50 home goods and kitchenware items ranging from $3.99 to $39.99 available exclusively at all 635 company-owned Cracker Barrel Old Country Store locations and online at crackerbarrel.com.

CrackerBarrelOhGussieAvailable starting Nov. 12, 2015, the home collection called Oh Gussie! was created and designed by Schlapman and the Cracker Barrel team. Among the items are whimsical kitchen utensils, household décor, vintage-inspired dishes, and nostalgic holiday items. Oh Gussie! will also feature a special set of pieces entitled “Paw Paw Pottery” that were inspired by the singer’s father and the pottery gifts he made for his family.

“From grandmother’s aprons to flea market finds, I have always had a great love for all things home,” Schlapman said. “Cracker Barrel and I have designed a collection of some of my favorite things, and I’m thrilled to share them with you. I hope these goodies sing to you as they do to me and that they find a special place in your home to give you that cozy, nostalgic feeling.”

“What made this partnership special from the start is Kimberly’s love of Cracker Barrel and our shared passion for bringing friends and family together for a great meal,” said Laura Daily, senior vice president of retail for Cracker Barrel. “To watch her excitement as the Oh Gussie! retail line came to life was an absolute joy for us, and we’re thrilled to share it with our guests.”

Schlapman hosts her own cooking show entitled Kimberly’s Simply Southern, which has aired on Great American Country and Cooking Channel. In April 2015, Kimberly released her first cookbook, OH GUSSIE! Cooking and Visiting in Kimberly’s Southern Kitchen (published by William Morrow Cookbooks).

Industry Ink: BMI, RIAA, Catch This Music, Tina Wright

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BMI Celebrates During ‘Tennessee Whisky and Cigars’ Party

BMI’s Nashville office celebrated its partnerships with AT&T, HD Radio, Texas Roadhouse, and more via a Tennessee Whisky and Cigars party at BMI Nashville’s rooftop terrace. Drinks were provided courtesy of George Dickel Master Distillery.

The partnerships allow BMI to support songwriters and music composers with festival appearances, writing workshops, and additional events.

Additional partners aiding BMI’s mission include SunTrust, Avenue Bank, Epiphone, Diageo, City National Bank, and Beam Suntory.

Pictured (L-R): BMI’s Mason Hunter, Diageo’s Allison Ferreira, George Dickel Master Distiller Allisa Henley and BMI’s Jody Williams.

Pictured (L-R): BMI’s Mason Hunter, Diageo’s Allison Ferreira, George Dickel Master Distiller Allisa Henley and BMI’s Jody Williams.

 

Randy Houser Earns RIAA Gold Certification

Randy Houser‘s hit, “Like A Cowboy,” which Houser penned with Brice Long, has been certified gold by the RIAA. “Like A Cowboy” has garnered more than 500,000 sales and on-demand streaming units.

Houser is currently on Luke Bryan‘s Kick The Dust Up Tour, and Bryan surprised Houser with the news during a tour stop in Sacramento, and presented him with a gold plaque during a collaboration with Houser and fellow tourmate Dustin Lynch midway through the concert.

Pictured (L-R): Dustin Lynch, Luke Bryan, and Randy Houser.

Pictured (L-R): Dustin Lynch, Luke Bryan, and Randy Houser.

 

CTM Writer’s INK’s Chris Roberts To Release Album

Chris Roberts. Photo: Amanda Van Sandt

Chris Roberts. Photo: Amanda Van Sandt

Chris Roberts, a writer/artist with CTM Writer’s INK, will release his first solo album, The Way West, on Oct. 30 via TuneCore, iTunes, and online at catchthismusic.com. The project features 11 tracks, all co-written by Roberts. The Way West was produced by Jason Gantt, and includes collaborations with Sam Ashworth, Johnny Bulford, Chris Gelbuda, Scott Stepakoff, and more.

“I think this solo record is long overdue,” said Roberts, a founding member of the band One Flew South. “I’ve been singing and recording in groups and on demos for other people for years and just realized I don’t have an album of just me.”

Roberts has toured with artists including Zac Brown Band, Jimmy Buffett, and Dave Matthews. He spent several years on New York City’s Broadway circuit, as a cast member in The Civil War, Tommy, and Godspell.

Roberts signed to CTM Writer’s INK in 2014.

 

Former Country Music Hall of Fame Media Relations Exec To Release Debut Novel

Tina Wright

Tina Wright

Tina Wright, the former longtime head of media relations at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, has written her debut novel. Heaven in the Dark, a love story spanning two continents and two generations, will be released on Oct. 20.

The book will be available at iTunes, Amazon, and Barnes & Noble.

 

 

Bobby Karl Works Don Henley’s Ryman Soiree

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Don Henley

BOBBY KARL WORKS THE ROOM

Chapter 512

We’ll throw a party for just about anything here in the Nashville music biz, so how about one for the Album of the Year?

Don Henley was in town to play the Ryman on Sunday (Oct. 18), so CAA opened its doors for a pre-concert soiree.

Henley’s just-released Cass County CD is a masterpiece. Mostly recorded in Music City, it features a cast that includes singers Martina McBride, Merle Haggard, Trisha Yearwood, Dolly Parton, Miranda Lambert, Alison Krauss, Jamey Johnson, Vince Gill, Ashley Monroe, Lee Ann Womack, Lucinda Williams, Molly Felder, Martie Maguire and Emily Robison.

Playing on this extraordinary collection are such familiar Music City names as Steuart Smith, Jim Hoke, Greg Morrow, Jerry Douglas, Glenn Worf, Bryan Sutton, Stuart Duncan, Pat Buchanan, Rob Ickes, Mike Rojas, J.T. Corenflos, Jimmie Lee Sloas, Shannon Forrest, Gordon Kennedy, John Deaderick and Jerry McPherson. In other words, cooking with the same ingredients that every Nashville producer and act has access to, Henley has eaten everyone else’s lunch.

“I’ve got a new album out there,” said Henley. “Made most of that album here in Nashville. And darned if it didn’t come on the charts at No. 1. Miracles still happen.”

Overlooking the Ryman and Lower Broadway from the 11th floor of the SunTrust building, the CAA office was a glamorous spot to celebrate from. After collecting our adult beverages in the office reception area, we went into the spacious boardroom for snacks and chats.

Cornbread salad, jalapena poppers, mac & cheese bites, barbecue sliders and rocky-road brownies were served. All of our favorites were there schmoozing – R.J. Curtis, Pete Fisher, Regina Stuve, George Flanigan, Beverly Keel, Troy Tomlinson, Fletcher Foster, Laura Crawford, Hunter Davis, Hunter Kelly (celebrating a new job), Brian Mansfield (also celebrating a new job), Phyllis Stark, Ken Tucker, Chandra LaPlume, Steve Betts, Dan Hill, John Grady, Jerry Duncan, Leslie Fram, Deborah Evans Price, Sarah Trahern, Susan Stewart, Bri Stewart and hosts-with-the-mosts John Huie and Rod Essig.

Jeff Balding talked about engineering Henley’s album over its gestation period of more than four years. The superstar began working on this collection 10 years ago, I am told. It is his first solo album in 15 years.

The pre-show party people were joined in the Ryman throng by Chuck Dauphin, Lisa Harless, Leslie Roberts, Ken Levitan, Whitney Daane, Katharine Richardson, Nathan Pyle, SunTrust’s Rob McNeilly, the Nashville Public Library’s Kent Oliver and 3,000 other music lovers.

“It’s good to be here on this historic stage,” said Henley. “It’s Sunday night – we ought to be in church,” or at least a former gospel tabernacle.

Don Henley

Don Henley

His dramatic opening song featured him standing shoulder-to-shoulder with his 10 band members. They sang a richly harmonized arrangement of Steve Young’s “Seven Bridges Road” with just percussion and guitar accompaniment.

Henley mixed selections from Cass County with such awesome past hits as “The Heart of the Matter,” “The End of the Innocence,” “New York Minute,” “Dirty Laundry” and “The Last Worthless Evening.”

He apologized for being hoarse, but needn’t have. As the evening progressed, his always-distinctive voice became stronger and stronger. Particularly impressive were the new album’s “That Old Flame,” “Take a Picture of This,” “Words Can Break Your Heart” and “When I Stop Dreaming.” “No Thank You” and “The Cost of Living” were also standouts.

When the concert song he performed was one of the CD’s celebrity duets, assorted band members ably substituted for the absent country star.

Shawn Colvin opened. Her latest CD is a collection of cover tunes, titled Uncovered. So her set included tunes by Graham Nash, Tom Waits and the late Red Lane (the Tammy Wynette classic “Til I Get It Right”), as well as her own songs (“Sunny Came Home,” etc.).

Extra security guards were posted to rigidly enforce Henley’s no-cell-phones ban during the concert. The star said he wanted us to be, “in the moment” with him. You could tell that several of the more smart-phone addicted were going through withdrawal.

Weekly Register: Toby Keith, Jana Kramer Enter Country Albums Chart

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Toby Keith

Toby Keith and Jana Kramer are back-to-back on this week’s album charts, and because of streaming figures, they’re pretty much neck-and-neck when it comes to bragging rights for having the week’s highest debut. Keith’s 35 mph Town enters the country album chart at No. 2 with nearly 19K sold, while Kramer’s Thirty-One lands at No. 3 with nearly 18K sold.

However, on the overall chart, which factors in streaming and song downloads, Kramer’s set parks at No. 10 with nearly 22K units, outpacing Keith’s No. 14 position with just under 20K units.

Photo Credit: Courtesy Warner Music Nashville

Jana Kramer: Courtesy Warner Music Nashville

Other debuts on the country album chart are Jason Boland and the Stragglers’ Squelch, (No. 11, 4K), Josh Thompson’s Change: The Lost Record, Vol. 1 (No. 20, 2K) and Canadian country singer Corb Lund’s Things That Can’t Be Undone (No. 37, 1K).

Meanwhile, Luke Bryan returns to the top spot on the country album chart with Kill the Lights, selling 23K (648K to date). Don Henley’s Cass County (17K) and George Strait’s Cold Beer Conversation (16K) round out the Top 5.

luke bryan album 2015

The top country tracks this week are Thomas Rhett’s “Die a Happy Man” (49K), Bryan’s “Strip It Down” (38.5K), Cam’s “Burning House” (33K), and Sam Hunt’s “Break Up in a Small Town” (26K). Carrie Underwood’s brand new single, “Heartbeat,” debuts at No. 5 (23K).

On the overall chart, Selena Gomez debuts at No. 1 with Revival, moving 117K units (85K album only), just ahead of Game’s Documentary 2, with 95.5K units (83K album only). Country albums in the overall Top 10 are Bryan’s Kill the Lights (No. 6), Rhett’s Tangled Up (No. 7) and Kramer’s Thirty-One (No. 10)

Info according to Nielsen Soundscan

Round Hill Music, Big Yellow Dog Music Enter Deal For Josh Kear Back Catalog

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Pictured (L-R, Front Row): Josh Gruss - RHM CEO, Josh Kear, Carla Wallace - Co-owner, Big Yellow Dog. Pictured (L-R, Back Row): Neil Gillis - RHM President, Kerry O’Neil - Co-owner, Big Yellow Dog, Mark Brown - RHM VP/ GM Nashville, Josh Saxe - RHM Associate Director, Creative.

Pictured (L-R, Front Row): Josh Gruss – RHM CEO; Josh Kear; Carla Wallace – Co-owner, Big Yellow Dog. Pictured (L-R, Back Row): Neil Gillis – RHM President; Kerry O’Neil – Co-owner, Big Yellow Dog; Mark Brown – RHM VP/ GM Nashville; Josh Saxe – RHM Associate Director, Creative.

Round Hill Music has inked a deal covering Josh Kear and Big Yellow Dog Music’s interests in all Kear-penned songs through 2014, including the hits “Need You Now,” “Before He Cheats,” “Highway Don’t Care,” and “Drunk On A Plane.”

Big Yellow Dog and Round Hill Music will jointly exploit Kear’s catalog. Kear is signed to Big Yellow Dog Music for future writing services.

​”It is a rare opportunity to acquire such a high quality body of work as the Josh Kear catalog,” says Mark Brown, VP and GM of Round Hill Music, Nashville. “There are so many huge hits and many other great songs waiting to be exploited. We are extremely excited to have this catalog under our Round Hill umbrella.”

“We have known the Nashville and New York executives of RH for a very long time. They exemplify quality and professionalism. We are pleased to be able to work with them on this wonderful catalog of songs that they are now the passionate stewards of,” Big Yellow Dog Music co-owners Carla Wallace and Kerry O’Neil said.

Kear has been with independent publisher Big Yellow Dog Music for nearly 13 years. Other hit songs Kear has co-written include “Neon Light” (Blake Shelton), “Blown Away” and “Two Black Cadillacs” (Carrie Underwood), “Helluva Life,” (Frankie Ballard), and “Drunk On You” (Luke Bryan). “Need You Now” earned Grammy honors for both Country Song of the Year and the overall Song of the Year in 2011. “Before He Cheats” and “Blown Away” each earned Grammy Awards for Country Song of the Year.

Since 2007 Kear has received 13 ASCAP country airplay awards, two ASCAP pop airplay awards, and three ASCAP Country Song of the Year awards for “Before He Cheats,” “Need You Now” and “Drunk On You.” In 2013 he also took home the coveted award for Country Songwriter of the Year.