DisClaimer: The SteelDrivers, Antique Persuasion Lead Bluegrass Releases

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SteeldriversThe next time someone complains that they can’t find any real country music, point them to any one of the 500 bluegrass festivals that take place each year.

Or you could direct them to any one of the records that we survey in this edition of DisClaimer.

Bluegrass albums are also where you’re most likely to find remakes of country classics. On the various CDs listed below, you’ll find new versions of “Tennessee Flat Top Box,” “Bye Bye Love,” “Americana,” “Don’t You Ever Get Tired of Hurting Me,” “Not Fade Away,” “Always Late,” “Let It Be Me,” “The Sweetest Gift,” “Crying in the Rain,” “All I Have to Offer You Is Me” and more.

In fact, the DisCovery Award goes to Antique Persuasion, whose CD is nothing but remakes of Carter Family classics.

Nashville’s beloved The SteelDrivers released its fourth album last week, The Muscle Shoals Recordings. It wins the Disc of the Day prize.

DOYLE LAWSON & QUICKSILVER/Roll Big River
Writer: Dustin Pyrtle/Eli Johnston; Producer: Doyle Lawson; Publisher: Top O’ Holston, BMI; Mountain Home (track) (www.doylelawson.com)
—He is already a member of the Bluegrass Hall of Honor, but Lawson is not resting on his laurels. His band remains the benchmark for tightly-rehearsed and flawlessly executed harmony singing and lightning-fast picking. The In Session CD kicks off with this, a track so rapid-fire that it practically gives you whiplash while listening. It has now become the group’s umpteenth journey into the bluegrass top-10.

STEVE GULLEY & NEW PINNACLE/Leaving Crazytown
Writer: Steve Gulley/Tim Stafford; Producer: Steve Gulley; Publisher: Gulley’s Curve/Daniel House, BMK; Rural Rhythm (track) (www.stevegulley.com)
—This is a classic, high-lonesome sound. Gulley’s skyscraper-reaching tenor is surrounded by dazzling mandolin, banjo and guitar picking on this lead-off track of its new CD. The shower of notes is the aural equivalent of a fireworks display. Gulley can be a little flat and pitch-y at times, but with so much excitement raining down around him, who notices? 

OLD CROW MEDICINE SHOW/Brushy Mountain Conjugal Trailer
Writer: Secor; Producer: Ted Hutt; Publisher: Blood Donor/Downtown DMP, BMI; ATO (track)
—The group that brought us “Wagon Wheel” is marking time between full albums with a four-song EP. Its title tune is a raucous, rollicking celebration of a good-behavior time-out for prison conjugal visits. The Grand Ole Opry’s resident old-time music band is definitely raising eyebrows with this stomper.

THE LONESOME TRIO/Asheville City Skyline
Writer: Ed Helms; Producer: Gary Paczosa & The Lonesome Trio; Publisher: Gumshoe Canoe, ASCAP; Sugar Hill (track) 
—Nowadays, we know comic actor Ed Helms for his long-running role on The Office, his spots on The Daily Show and his stardom in the three Hangover movies. But back in his Ohio college days at Oberlin, he was picking and singing with Jacob Tilove and Ian Riggs. The three have maintained musical contact ever since, and now they’ve recorded their first album together. The sound retains that good-time, collegiate, hootenanny, folk-bluegrass jam-session mood.

Antique PersuasionANTIQUE PERSUASION/Don’t Forget Me Little Darling
Writer: A.P. Carter; Producer: Jimmy Metts; Publisher: Peer, BMI; Voxhall (track)
—The listening party for this trio’s CD at Douglas Corner this month was one of those magical Nashville nights. I am doubly glad that I went because their spine-tingling vocal and instrumental ensemble work will only rarely be heard. Fiddler/singer Jenee Fleenor is on the road in Blake Shelton’s band. Brandon Rickman is on the bluegrass-festival circuit singing and picking with the Lonesome River Band. The divine singer-songwriter-guitarist Brennen Leigh plies her trade in the clubs of Austin and Nashville. She sings lead on this rippling title tune to their tribute CD to The Carter Family. Producer Jimmy Metts wisely lets their exquisite acoustic playing and flawless harmony singing lead the way. The result is an album that brings the Carters’ music renewed luster without being slavishly imitative. “Antique Persuasion,” by the way, is a play on A.P. Carter’s name.

RONNIE RENO/Lower Than Lonesome
Writer: Ronnie Reno; Producer: Ronnie Reno; Publisher: Bucksnort, BMI; Rural Rhythm (track) (www.ronniereno.com)
—Ronnie Reno is celebrating 60 years in entertainment with the release of his Lessons Learned CD. His accomplishments range from writing Conway Twitty’s 1978 hit “Boogie Grass Band” to hosting Reno’s Old Time Music cable show every Saturday night on RFD-TV. As the collection’s yearning, uptempo first single amply shows, he is still a hearty, sturdy presence as a singer-songwriter. Guests on the album include David Frizzell and Sonya Isaacs.

THE STEELDRIVERS/Long Way Down
Writer: Jerry Salley/Liz Hengber/Tammy Rogers; Producer: The SteelDrivers; Publisher: Den What/Star Struck/Giving Out Wings/Tammy’s Tunes, SESAC/ASCAP; Rounder (track) (www.thesteeldrivers.com)
—Chris Stapleton and Mike Henderson have departed, but this Nashville ensemble has lost none of its edge. Soulful Gary Nichols is more than up to the task of filling the fiery lead-vocalist slot. He also provides five of the new tunes. Founding fiddler Tammy Rogers has stepped up to the plate by co-writing five more, including this piledriving lament that kicks off the CD. I remain an enormous fan.

DARIN & BROOKE ALDRIDGE/Tennessee Flat Top Box
Writer: Johnny Cash; Producer: Darin & Brooke Aldridge; Publisher: Chappell, ASCAP; Mountain Home (track) (www.darinandbrookealdridge.com)
—Brooke sings lead and Darin handles the deft guitar picking that this song requests. Originally a hit for Johnny Cash in 1962 and revived by Rosanne Cash (with Randy Scruggs on guitar) in 1987, it lends itself beautifully to a bluegrass treatment. An A-plus. Also check out their heart-stopping vocal duet on “Let It Be Me.” The album is called Snapshot. I call it essential.

THE GIBSON BROTHERS/Bye Bye Love
Writer: Boudleaux Bryant/Felice Bryant; Producer: Leight Gibson, Eric Gibson & Mike Barber; Publisher: House of Bryant, BMI; Rounder (track) (www.gibsonbrothers.com)
—These former IBMA award winners are back in the bluegrass top-10 with a breezy remake of this 1957 Everly Brothers classic. It’s jaunty and listenable, but the song is so closely associated with its original version that the only way to truly revive it would be to rearrange it far more radically than the Gibsons do. That said, the rest of the duo’s new Brotherhood CD is awesome.

JUNIOR SISK & RAMBLERS CHOICE/Honky-Tonked to Death
Writer: Bill Castle; Producer: Wes Easter & Ramblers Choice; Publisher: Yonder Hills, BMI; Rebel (track) (www.juniorsisk.us)
—This ditty hit No. 1 on the Bluegrass Unlimited chart last month. It’s a clever piece of songwriting wherein the protagonist loses his gal when he starts frequenting barrooms. “Love didn’t die a natural cause/It was honky-tonked to death.” Sisk’s countryboy voice is as comfy as an old shoe, and the track zips along with propulsion from banjo, mandolin and fiddle.

Brantley Gilbert, Lynyrd Skynyrd on ‘CMT Crossroads’ This Weekend

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Brantley Gilbert and Lynyrd Skynyrd put the pedal to the metal during their recent CMT Crossroads collaboration, which is set to debut Saturday (June 27) at 10 p.m. EST. Recorded in Franklin, Tenn., the episode includes the two acts trading hits like Gilbert’s “Bottoms Up,” and the Lynyrd Skynyrd classic “Simple Man.” The show marks Skynyrd’s second appearance on the eclectic musical mashup series a decade after their original appearance with Montgomery Gentry in 2004.

Lynyrd Skynyrd And Brantley Gilbert "CMT Crossroads"

Pictured (L-R): Back row: Kathryn Russ, Executive Producer; Peter Keys, Lynyrd Skynyrd; Johnny Colt, Lynyrd Skynyrd; Leslie Fram, SVP Music Strategy, CMT; Gary Rossington, Lynyrd Skynyrd; Rickey Medlocke, Lynyrd Skynyrd; Mark Matejka, Lynyrd Skynyrd; Michael Cartellone, Lynyrd Skynyrd; Front row: Johnny Van Zant, Lynyrd Skynyrd; Brantley Gilbert; John Hamlin, SVP Music Events and Talent, CMT; Margaret Comeaux, VP Music and Events Production, CMT

Brantley Gilbert and Johnny Van Zant

Brantley Gilbert and Johnny Van Zant. Photo: Rick Diamond/Getty Images

 

First Three Seasons of ‘Nashville’ to Air on AXS-TV

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axs tvAXS TV has inked a multi-year licensing agreement with Disney-ABC for off-network rights to air the first three seasons of the ABC drama Nashville. The deal awards AXS the exclusive prime-time cable TV premiere of the series, which will begin airing on the network this fall.

Nashville debuted on ABC in 2012 and recently concluded its third season, which drew an average of nearly eight million viewers per week. The series has spawned six Music of Nashville soundtracks which have collectively sold nearly one million units and over four million tracks to date, as well as a Christmas album and two Nashville: On The Record CDs and TV specials.

nashville“Nashville is the perfect complement to our growing lineup of music-inspired series,” said Mark Cuban, CEO of AXS TV. “With its talented cast, dramatic storylines and powerful performances from industry icons and rising stars, we are confident that Nashville will connect with our viewers, while attracting a new audience of those who may have missed out on watching from the beginning of the series. This will also be a great opportunity for its devoted fan base to experience Nashville all over again.”

The series is produced by Lionsgate Television, ABC Studios and Opry Entertainment, and executive produced by Dee Johnson, Callie Khouri and Steve Buchanan.

Season four is set to premiere Sept. 23 on ABC.

Leadership Nashville Class Of 2016 Includes CAA’s Rod Essig

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Music Agent and Co-head, CAA Nashville

Rod A. Essig, Music Agent and Co-head, CAA Nashville

Forty-four community leaders have been named to participate in Leadership Nashville’s 40th class. Among those included in the nine-month program is Nashville music industry’s Rod Essig, Agent and Co-head of Nashville office at Creative Artists Agency (CAA).

“Selection was especially difficult this year because of the large number of very qualified applicants,” says Jerry B. Williams, Executive Director of Leadership Nashville.

The 44 participants were chosen from more than 215 applications. The selection process takes place each spring when alumni and the public are encouraged to nominate established leaders who are willing to devote the time and effort to an in-depth study of the community.

The program is designed to assist community leaders in their roles as decision makers. The course, which will begin in September, focuses on issues related to government, media, education, business, labor, diversity, quality of life, human services, health, arts, entertainment and crime and criminal justice.

Lawson C. Allen: President, Lee Danner & Bass, Inc.
Jill D. Austin: Chief Marketing Officer & Assist. Vice Chancellor, Vanderbilt University Medical Ctr.
Grace Awh: Community Volunteer
William Biggs: Director of Affordable Housing, Metropolitan Development & Housing Agency
Stephen Bland: CEO, Nashville Metropolitan Transit Authority
Sheila Calloway: Judge, Davidson County Juvenile Court
Ravi Chari, MD: Senior Vice President, Clinical Excellence, Hospital Corporation of America
Rene D. Copeland: Producing Artistic Director, Nashville Repertory Theatre
Elizabeth E. DeBauche: Commissioner, Ohio Valley Conference
Parag Desai: Senior Vice President of Strategy & Shared Services, Genesco, Inc.
Kerry Dunn: President-Elect, Junior League of Nashville
Marjorie Eastman: President & COO, YWCA of Nashville & Middle Tennessee
Rod A. Essig: Music Agent/Co-head of Nashville Office, Creative Artists Agency
Paul D. Gilbert: Executive Vice President & Chief Legal Officer, Life Point Health
Glenda B. Glover, PhD: President, Tennessee State University
Max R. Goldberg: Co-Owner, Strategic Hospitality
S. Marcela Gomez: Founder & President, Hispanic Marketing Group, Inc.
Linda Claire Guttery: President, Junior Chamber of Commerce
Charles K. Hannon, Jr.: Executive Vice President, Healthcare Banking, First Tennessee Bank
Danny J. Herron: President & CEO, Nashville Area Habitat For Humanity
Daniel P. Hogan: President & CEO, Medalogix
Kelly S. Holmes: Senior Vice President & Commercial Team Leader, SunTrust Bank
Gordon G. Howey, Jr.: Captain, Youth Services Division, Metro Nashville Police Department
Jennifer L. Hutchison: Senior Vice President & Corporate Comptroller, Ryman Hospitality Properties
Jan D. Maddox: Director of Business Operations, Deloitte Services LP
Charles (Chuck) Mader: Senior Vice President & Regional Mortgage Executive, Regions Bank
Andrew Maraniss: Partner, McNeilly Piggott & Fox
Shaka Mitchell: Regional Director for Tennessee, Rocketship Education
John Murfee: Private Client Advisor, Bank of America U. S. Trust
Anna-Gene O’Neal: President & CEO, Alive Hospice
Carolyn W. Schott: Attorney/Shareholder, Sherrard & Roe
Bernard J. Sherry: President & CEO, St. Thomas West & MidTown Hospitals
Joshua H. Smith: Owner & General Manager, The Standard Club at Smith House
Kelly Miller Smith, Jr.: Pastor, First Baptist Church, Capitol Hill
Gatluak Tach: Executive Director, Nashville International Center for Empowerment
John R. Tarpley: Shareholder, Lewis Thomason King Krieg & Waldrop
Wendy J. Thompson: Vice Chancellor, Tennessee Board of Regents
Emilie Townes, DMin, PhD: Dean, Divinity School, Vanderbilt University
Doreen Wade: General Manager, WSMV-TV4
Larry Whisenant: Senior Vice President & Client Services Manager, Pinnacle Financial Partners
Lisa Wiltshire: Director, Early Learning Innovation, Metro Nashville Public Schools
Matthew Wright: President, Disciplina Group
Helena W. Yarbrough: Associate General Counsel, Bridgestone Americas
Alan Young: President & CEO, Armour Concepts

Taylor Swift’s ‘1989’ Coming To Apple Music

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Taylor Swift’s current album 1989 will be available for streaming on Apple Music, which is set to debut June 30.

The tech company and Swift have had a public discourse this week, regarding Apple Music’s initial plan to withhold royalties for music consumed during its three-month trial period.

Apple swiftly reversed that decision after the pop superstar posted a note on Tumblr Sunday (June 21). Later that day, Apple Senior Vice President Eddy Cue phoned Swift, who was on tour in Amsterdam, and publicly released a statement on Twitter confirming the company will indeed be paying rights holders.swift apple

John Rich Expanding Redneck Riviera Brand With Nashville Restaurant

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redneck-riviera-logo-john-rich-2015-billboard-510John Rich is bringing the Riviera to Broadway. He plans to expand his growing Redneck Riviera brand, which already includes clothing, footwear, and home goods, into a restaurant chain, and the very first one will open in downtown Nashville near Lower Broadway next year. Rich, who has partnered with Acumen brands to expand the line, told Billboard it was a no-brainer choosing Music City as the launch pad city for the new clubs.

“To me, Nashville is probably the most exciting city in the United States right now,” said Rich. “We tour constantly, and we hit a lot of great cities, but there’s just no energy like what’s going on in downtown Nashville right now. And if you’re going to have a bar and restaurant called ‘Redneck Riviera,’ I can’t think of a better place to have one than downtown Nashville, so that is what we are moving on currently.”

Rich will honor vets and active duty military in the new venues with a Heroes Bar, where the first Redneck Riviera Beach Beer will be on the house to each and every serviceman or woman or veteran who walks through the door. American pride is a theme that will run deep through the entire brand, according to the Celebrity Apprentice winner.

A new liquor line bearing the brand is also planned, along with future restaurants in Myrtle Beach and Pensacola and a possible television show and music festival as well.

Live On The Green Series To Culminate With Three-Day Festival

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live on the greenThe 2015 Live On The Green concert series in Nashville will culminate with a three-day finale festival, set for Sept. 10 -12. The festival will be headlined by Ben Folds, Passion Pit, Rodrigo y Gabriela, Cold War Kids and Lord Huron, with additional acts to be announced. It will also have a second stage, located at the corner of James Robertson Parkway and 3rd Ave. N., with a mix of up-and-coming local talent and national acts. The festival site will be similar to the 2014 event, encompassing all of 3rd Ave. N. between Union St. and James Robertson Parkway, and extending up Deaderick St. to 4th Ave.

Set to run Thursdays from Aug. 20 to Sept. 10, this year’s concert series will feature Shakey Graves, Big Data, Houndmouth, JD McPherson, J Roddy Walston & The Business, Elle King, The Delta Saints, All Them Witches, Lennon & Maisy, Zella Day, The Districts, Kopecky, Humming House, Greg Holden, Delta Rae, Civil Twilight, Turbo Fruits, Anderson East, Elliot Root, Kaleo and Future Thieves, with more artists announced in the coming weeks.

Season, festival and single show VIP tickets are now available for the 2015 season. VIP ticketholders receive access to the Lightning 100 Lounge and benefits including exclusive stage access, private restrooms, shaded seating areas, catering by Bacon & Caviar, and complimentary alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. VIP tickets and a full festival schedule can be found at www.liveonthegreen.com.

Bobby Karl Works The Country Radio Hall of Fame Induction

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Pictured (L-R):

Pictured (L-R): CRB’s Bill Mayne, Randy Carroll, Mike Kennedy, Karen Dalessandro, Joel Raab, Sammy George, and Jeff Walker. Photo: Kristen England

2015 Country Radio Hall of Fame inductees: Joel Raab, Sammy George, Mike Kennedy, Randy Carroll, Karen Dalessandro
2015 CRB Artist Career Achievement Award: Dwight Yoakam
2015 CRB President’s Award: Jeff Walker

Chapter 498

The Country Radio Hall of Fame ceremony took a leap of faith this year.

Instead of being part of Country Radio Seminar, it was a stand-alone event. Instead of being housed in its longtime home of the Renaissance Hotel, it booked the new Omni Hotel adjacent to the Country Music Hall of Fame and Music City Center on Wednesday night (June 24). Unlike recent years, there was no live music.

The gambles seem to have worked. The Omni ballroom held a good crowd of about 300 people. An A-list group of 15 sponsors signed on. The inductees were worthy. The food was superb.

One thing has not changed. It is still a marathon evening. This year’s event clocked in at just under four hours. Most of the seven honorees’ acceptance speeches lasted between 10 and 15 minutes.

The first honoree was the widely beloved Jeff Walker, who was given the President’s Award. He has served on the Country Radio Seminar board for 35 consecutive years and is presently its treasurer.

“Thirty-five years later, I’m still here and still loving it,” said Walker. “When I first came to CRS, it was at the airport Hilton. I think you’re going to have an amazing experience here [at the Omni] next February.

“I couldn’t have done this without the support of my family,” he added, mentioning Terri, his wife of 37 years, his father and stepmother, Bill & Jeanine Walker, plus daughter Christy Watkins and son Jon Walker, both of whom work with him at AristoMedia.

The Career Achievement Award went to Dwight Yoakam. “He helped shake country out of its doldrums,” said R.J. Curtis.

“I’ve had a good run,” said Yoakam, “and one thing I did was have great support from country radio. Radio was and is, for me, magic in my ears….Without country radio, I couldn’t have sold the 25 million albums that I sold.”

Pictured (L-R): George Briner, Dwight Yoakam, Rick Moxley and Bill Mayne

Pictured (L-R): George Briner, Dwight Yoakam, Rick Moxley and Bill Mayne. Photo: Kristen England

Radio-exec honoree Joel Rabb worked at stations in Pittsburgh, Cleveland and New York before becoming a consultant 30 years ago. As such, he has worked with more than 200 stations and several national broadcast companies.

“I’m proud to be inducted,” he said. “I’ve loved country music and country radio since I was a kid. To me, they are inseparable.”

The first on-air personality honoree was Karen Dalessandro, who rose to prominence in Detroit. She switched to Milwaukee’s morning show in 1998, where she achieved stardom and remains.

“I was always the girl who talked too much in school, and who played my music too loud,” she said. “I never imagined this. We’re just really lucky to be part of this industry. I love to connect with people. Thank you for sharing this experience with me.”

The second radio-exec honoree was Sammy George, who has led WUSY in Chattanooga to No.1 and numerous awards.

“I loved being in country radio from Day One,” said George. His motto is, “Whoever has the most fun wins,” so he said his secret is, “having fun at all costs. Run toward the laughter. Attitude is everything…..Thank you for your friendship and music.”

On-air winner Randy Carroll won my heart for delivering a comparatively brief, five-minute acceptance speech. He also displayed the most humility of the radio folks. His daughters earned bonus points for introducing him equally succinctly. Carroll is highly unusual in his profession for having been at the same station for 32 years, KAJA in San Antonio.

“I do not deserve the career I’ve had,” he commented. “I do not deserve this recognition, but I’m gonna take it. It’s exciting to be in your company.”

John Rich hopped on stage to induct Kansas City radio honoree Mike Kennedy. “If there was ever the epitome of a guy who works hard and plays hard, it’s Mike Kennedy,” said Rich. “It’s the American Way!

“When I’d hit a slick spot or hit a wall, he’d always take my phone calls and always listen to my music. That’s a rare guy. You are one helluva friend. You’re an asset to country music. You’re an asset to country radio.”

Kennedy accepted wearing rhinestone boots that his buddy Rich had given him. “This is what it’s all about for me—the compadres and the special friends you make along the way,” said the honoree. Although long, his was the most personable and humorous of the acceptance speeches.

This was billed as the “41st annual” Country Radio Hall of Fame fiesta. Actually, there were no inductions in 1986, 1987 and 1997, but let’s not quibble.

The Hall’s physical location is currently in limbo. Its plaques originally were displayed in the Opryland Hotel. Then they were installed in the passageway between the Renaissance and the old convention center. They are now in storage, awaiting a suitable new home.

As usual, the event was a titanic schmoozathon. John Grady, John Zarling, John Marks, Jonathan Fricke, Jimmy Harnen, Jim Ed Norman, Ed Morris, Charlie Cook, Charlie Monk, Charlie Morgan, Chuck Aly, Chuck Chellman, Bill Mayne, Bill Payne, Bill Poindexter, Donna Hughes, Don Carpenter, Dan Hollander, Dan Halyburton, Mike Lynch and Mike Dungan worked the room.

So did several artists. Among them were The Swon Brothers, Logan Mize, Love & Theft, Dakota Bradley and Austin Webb.

The Omni ballroom is rather ordinary looking, compared with the rest of the sleek hotel. But there was nothing ordinary about the food. Dinner was oh-so-tender tenderloin with grilled shrimp, broccolini, mashed potatoes and braised tomato wedges, followed by cheesecake with strawberries and white-chocolate accents.

Enjoying it all were Rick Murray, Phyllis Stark, Scott Borchetta, David & Susana Ross, Tom Baldrica, Jerry Duncan, Travis Moon, Royce Risser, Craig Bann, Lon Helton, Bob Paxman, Ed Mascola, Vernell Hackett, Paul Allen, Clay Hunnicutt, Joe Ladd, Beverlee Brannigan, Neal Spielberg, Sherod Robertson and GAC’s Suzanne Alexander.

Dot Records To Release Ashley Campbell’s Tribute to Father Glen

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Ashley CampbellAshley Campbell is releasing “Remembering,” a song she was inspired to write that was featured on the soundtrack to the Oscar-nominated documentary about her father Glen. The song will be released by Dot Records to radio and iTunes June 29, and will hit the airwaves the day after the documentary, Glen Campbell…I’ll Be Me, makes its TV debut on CNN.

Campbell is making the media rounds in support of the new single and the film this week with her mother Kim, appearing on CNN’s Anderson Cooper 360 tonight (June 25) and on CNN’s New Day Friday (June 26).

As part of her father’s touring band along with her siblings, Campbell watched her dad’s painful struggle with Alzheimer’s and was moved to pen “Remembering.” The new radio version of the song varies slightly from the original with a more up-tempo sound. Campbell is currently in the studio recording a new CD with Julian Raymond, who worked closely with her dad on the soundtrack for Glen Campbell…I’ll Be Me. CNN is partnering with Eli Lilly and Company to air the documentary on CNN through November 2015.

US Register Of Copyrights Maria Pallante Visits ASCAP

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Pictured (front row L-R): ASCAP's Holly Chester and Beth Brinker, Spenser Hyun, US Register of Copyrights Maria Pallante, ASCAP's Suzanne Lee, Kele Currier, (back row L-R) ASCAP's Robert Filhart and Mike Sistad, ASCAP Board member Barry Coburn, ASCAP's Evyn Mustoe and ASCAP EVP of Licensing Vincent Candilora

Pictured (front row L-R): ASCAP’s Holly Chester and Beth Brinker, Spenser Hyun, US Register of Copyrights Maria Pallante, ASCAP’s Suzanne Lee, Kele Currier, (back row L-R) ASCAP’s Robert Filhart and Mike Sistad, ASCAP Board member Barry Coburn, ASCAP’s Evyn Mustoe and ASCAP EVP of Licensing Vincent Candilora

United States Register of Copyrights Maria Pallante joined ASCAP EVP of Licensing, Vincent Candilora, board member Barry Coburn and the company’s Creative team in Nashville yesterday (June 23) to discuss ASCAP’s advocacy efforts and the Songwriter Equity Act. This bipartisan bill amends two outdated portions of the US Copyright Act and levels the playing field for songwriters, composers and publishers seeking fair compensation for their work.

The company’s team detailed its role within the Nashville community, including songwriter development programs like the ASCAP Guidance from Publishers for Songwriters (GPS) Project and the various songwriting workshops held throughout the year.

Pallante visited the inaugural ASCAP Foundation Garth Brooks Country Songwriters Workshop, led by songwriter Tony Arata and was an honored guest at the 2015 MusicRow Awards ceremony held at the ASCAP Nashville office yesterday evening.

Pictured: The ASCAP Foundation Garth Brooks Country Songwriters Workshop with songwriter Tony Arata (back row center), US Register of Copyrights Maria Pallante (back row, right of Arata) and ASCAP's Mike Sistad (back row, second from right)

Pictured: The ASCAP Foundation Garth Brooks Country Songwriters Workshop with songwriter Tony Arata (back row center), US Register of Copyrights Maria Pallante (back row, right of Arata) and ASCAP’s Mike Sistad (back row, second from right)