Publishing Signings: Alana Springsteen, Zach Lockwood

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Still Working Music and BMG Chrysalis Nashville Sign Alana Springsteen

Pictured (L-R): Top Row: Chuck Fleckenstein, GM/COO Still Working Music; Tiffany Dunn, Loeb & Loeb; Brittany Schaffer, Loeb & Loeb; Kevin Lane, Creative Dir. BMG Chrysalis; Daniel Lee, Sr. Creative Dir. BMG Chrysalis Nashville. Middle Row: Tim Fink, SESAC; Chelsea Kent, Creative Dir. Still Working Music; Neal Spielberg, Manager; Kos Weaver, EVP BMG Chrysalis Nashville; Tommy Lee James, CCO Still Working Music. Bottom row: Alex Orbison; President Still Working Music; Alana Springsteen.

Pictured (L-R): Top Row: Chuck Fleckenstein, GM/COO Still Working Music; Tiffany Dunn, Loeb & Loeb; Brittany Schaffer, Loeb & Loeb; Kevin Lane, Creative Dir. BMG Chrysalis; Daniel Lee, Sr. Creative Dir. BMG Chrysalis Nashville. Middle Row: Tim Fink, SESAC; Chelsea Kent, Creative Dir. Still Working Music; Neal Spielberg, Manager; Kos Weaver, EVP BMG Chrysalis Nashville; Tommy Lee James, CCO Still Working Music. Bottom row: Alex Orbison; President Still Working Music; Alana Springsteen.

Still Working Music and BMG Chrysalis Nashville have partnered to sign 14-year-old singer-songwriter Alana Springsteen to a worldwide publishing agreement. She has been making trips to Nashville since she was ten, and she and her family have recently relocated to Nashville from Virginia Beach, Virginia to pursue her music career.

“Alana’s grace, skill, and ‘sky-is-the-limit’ potential made this signing one of the easiest decisions we’ve made at Still Working,” said Still Working Pres. Alex Orbison. “Her room presence and maturity are way beyond her young years—nothing but great things ahead. Welcome Alana!”

“Natural born songwriters are not as common in town as one might think, Alana is one,” added BMG Chrysalis EVP, Kos Weaver. “I am thrilled that we get to work alongside our friends at Still Working with this promising writer/artist.”

Still Working Music currently represents writers Tommy Lee James, Terry McBride, Matt Nolen, Red Bow’s Chase Bryant, Ryan Lafferty, Skip Black and Derrick Southerland, and is proud to partner with BMG Chrysalis.

 Old Gringo/Dis Keef Music Sign Zach Lockwood

Seated (L-R): Zach Lockwood and Chris Hunter, Pres. Old Gringo Music. Standing: Kenneth Wright, Pres. Dis Keef Music and Orville Almon, Jr., ESQ., Almon &   McPike, PLLC 

Seated (L-R): Zach Lockwood and Chris Hunter, Pres. Old Gringo Music. Standing: Kenneth Wright, Pres. Dis Keef Music and Orville Almon, Jr., Almon & McPike, PLLC

Old Gringo/Dis Keef Music has signed songwriter Zach Lockwood to an exclusive worldwide publishing agreement. The 26-year-old has been involved in music his entire life. As a writer and performer since his teens, the Connecticut native moved to Nashville three years ago and has been working and writing with some of Music City’s brightest talent.

Lockwood said, “Being able to write a song and have people be moved by it in some way is just the best feeling ever. I love being able to do what I do with friends and people who believe in me.”

Old Gringo President Chris Hunter commented, “It is such a pleasure to be able to work with a kid like Zach. He’s extremely talented as a writer and a player with a strong work ethic and desire to succeed. Music is his being and he continues to impress us on a daily basis.”

Dis Keef President Kenneth Wright added, “Zach is a good guy and always brings something to the table. That counts with us.”

Drake White Added To Little Big Town Tour Dates

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Drake White

Drake White. Photo: David McClister

Drake White has been tapped to open for Little Big Town on the group’s tour this fall.

The Alabama native’s bluesy, swampy single “It Feels Good,” is creating quite a stir since its release. The official video for “It Feels Good,” was filmed in the Louisiana Bayou and captures the swampy, soulful sound of the song complete with a crawfish boil.  

White’s #feelgoodfriday video version of the tune has gone viral in a massive way, with over two million views in just a week. Fans can check out his social media each week to see him freestyle a different track.

White has already opened shows for Willie Nelson, Eric Church, Toby Keith, Brantley Gilbert, Kid Rock and more and is slated to play CMA Music Fest June 11 at the Bud Light Stage.

Neil Mason Re-Signs With Nettwerk One/Revelry Music

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neil mason signing

Pictured (L-R): AJ Burton (Nettwerk/Revelry), Neil Mason and Greg Beeckman (Revelry)

Nettwerk One Music/Revelry Music Group’s AJ Burton announced that the company has renewed its long-term exclusive songwriting deal with Neil Mason.

The drummer and songwriter for The Cadillac Three also has the new A Thousand Horses single, “(This Ain’t No) Drunk Dial.” Mason has had cuts by Jake Owen, Miranda Lambert, and Rascal Flatts, as well as various film and TV placements, including a recent nationwide Samsung commercial.

Industry Ink: Bill Walker, The Cains, Judy Seale, Joe O’Donnell

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Bill Walker Honored As “Nashville Cat” At Hall Of Fame Program

Musical director and arranger Bill Walker was honored last weekend by the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum during its quarterly “Nashville Cats: A Celebration of Music City Musicians” series. Walker’s early life in Australia, his TV work on projects like the Johnny Cash Show, and artists he produced through three decades from the ‘60s to the ’80s were covered during the program, which was narrated by the Hall of Fame’s Dr. John Rumble.

Pictured (L-R): David Briggs, Bergen White, Jimmy Capps, Walker, Eddie Bayers, Country Music Hall of Fame Members Charlie McCoy and Hargus “Pig” Robbins, and Steve Gibson

Pictured (L-R): David Briggs, Bergen White, Jimmy Capps, Walker, Eddie Bayers, Country Music Hall of Fame Members Charlie McCoy and Hargus “Pig” Robbins, and Steve Gibson. Photo by Rick Diamond

 

Cains Sign With Kinkead For Booking

The Cains have inked a booking agreement with Bob Kinkead and the Kinkead Entertainment Agency. The group’s new single, “Journey’s End,” is currently playing on Sirius XM’s “The Highway” and will be featured on their upcoming self-titled EP.

Pictured (L to R): Back Row – Gregory Scott, The Kinkead Entertainment Agency; Julie Devereux, The Kinkead Entertainment Agency; Logan Cain; Taylor Cain; Madison Cain. Front Row – Paige Zuidema, The Kinkead Entertainment Agency; Bob Kinkead, The Kinkead Entertainment Agency

Pictured (L-R): Back Row–Gregory Scott, The Kinkead Entertainment Agency; Julie Devereux, Kinkead Agency; Logan Cain; Taylor Cain; Madison Cain. Front Row–Paige Zuidema, Kinkead Agency; Bob Kinkead, Kinkead Agency

O’Donnell Retires From Curb Records

After 17 years in the business as Curb’s West Coast Regional and helping achieve the label’s 300th No. 1 record, Joe O’Donnell is hanging up his hat and retiring.

“Joe’s incredible dedication to Curb Records and amazing talents helped us achieve our 300th number one record and made our 50th anniversary a very special time. He will be deeply missed, but the gifts he shared with us will always be treasured. We hope that his retirement brings him great joy and good health,” said Mike Curb, Curb Records Chairman.

“I’m such a lucky guy to have spent my career in the music business. It’s been a very interesting road from the coal regions in PA! Many thanks to all the wonderful folks I met and worked with along the way! The past 17 years seemed to have gone by in a flash! It’s been a pleasure to have been a part of Curb Records’ fifty plus years as a label,” remarked O’Donnell. He can be reached at [email protected].

Judy Seale Receives Commander’s Award For Service To Military

Judy Seale, CEO/President of Judy Seale International and founder of Stars for Stripes, a company that has co-produced more than 80 overseas tours for troops deployed overseas, was recently honored by the Department of the Army with the Commander’s Award for Public Service for her “exceptionally meritorious service in support of service members and civilians, both overseas and statewide.” The award, presented to Seale on May 4 at Fort Bragg, is the fourth-highest public service award given to a private citizen.

Pictured Below (L to R): Lieutenant General Joseph Anderson (United States Army), and founder of Stars for Stripes, Judy Seale

Pictured (L-R): Lieutenant General Joseph Anderson (United States Army), and founder of Stars and Stripes Judy Seale

DisClaimer: Chris Young On Edge of Superstardom With Spicy New Song

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chris young i'm comin overHandsome is as handsome does.

Sam Hunt, Chris Young, Shania Twain and Granger Smith are all undeniably good looking folks. That might get you in the door, but after that, it’s the sounds that count. And, happily, these four have the best records of today’s listening session.

The Disc of the Day award goes to Chris Young. His “I’m Comin’ Over” seasons his nice-guy personna with the spice of sensuality, and the result is the kind of record that can turn a hit maker into a superstar.

Texan Granger Smith is a veteran of seven self-released studio albums. Now, he’s teamed up with star-maker Frank Rogers (Brad Paisley, Darius Rucker, Josh Turner). The result brings him a well-deserved (and long delayed) DisCovery Award.

LUKE BRYAN/Kick the Dust Up
Writer: Dallas Davidson/Chris DeStefano/Ashley Gorley; Producer: Jeff Stevens & Jody Stevens; Publisher: EMI Blackwood/Two Chord Georgia/EMI April/Combustion Engine/Sadie’s Favorite/WB, BMI/ASCAP; Capitol (CDX) 
—Stomp, stomp, stomp. Drink, drink, drink. Party, party, party. Who is this guy?

BILLY DAVIS & OIL COUNTRY/Roughneck
Writer: Alex Zanetis; Producer: Eric Zanetis; Publisher: none listed; Zanetis (track) (www.oilcountrysongs.com)
—The late Nashville songwriter Alex Zanetis wrote, sang and produced a 1964 concept LP titled Ballads of the Oil Fields. Fifty years later, his son Eric produced sonically updated versions of those songs, now collectively titled Oil Country: Songs of the Oil Fields. This toe-tapper illustrates how thoroughly contemporary he makes these antiques sound. Recommended.

CLARE DUNN/Move On
Writer: Clare Dunn/Jesse Frasure; Producer: Clare Dunn & Jesse Frasure; Publisher: BMG Gold/Leer Jet 87/Rio Bravo/Telemitry, ASCAP/BMI; MCA Nashville (CDX) 
—She has a dramatic, deep alto until she shifts into her upper-register overdrive on the choruses. Production-wise, it is strikingly “different” and loaded with echo and electronic effects. It is quite good, but I’m having a hard time hearing what is “country” about this record.

MIKEL KNIGHT/Roses & Mayhem
Writer: K Grisham/J. Cross/J. Deford/B. Mitchell; Producer: J. Cross & K. Grisham; Publisher: none listed; 203 (CDX) (www.mikelknight.com)
—I have always hated country rap. Especially when it’s under produced.

CHRIS YOUNG/I’m Comin’ Over
Writer: Chris Young/Corey Crowder/Josh Hoge; Producer: Corey Crowder & Chris Young; Publisher: EMI Blackwood/Goodbye Pants/WB/Songs From the Rose Hotel/EMI Foray/Write 2 Be Free, ASCAP/SESAC; RCA (CDX) 
—Millions of women answer, panting breathlessly, “Yes, PLEASE, drop by anytime.” In other words, this is totally hot. It’s also a stone smash.

SOUTHERN HALO/Little White Dress
Writer: Natalia Morris/Catt Gravitt/Gerald O’Brien; Producer: Catt Gravitt & Gerald O’Brien; Publisher: none listed, BMI/SESAC; Southern Halo (CDX) (www.southernhalo.net)
—The creamy female harmonies shimmer on the fabulously melodic choruses. The tuneless verses are a waste of time.

SAM HUNT/House Party
Writer: Sam Hunt/Zach Crowell/Jerry Flowers; Producer: Zach Crowell & Shane McAnally; Publisher: Universal/Three Mules/External Combustion/Who Wants to Buy My Pub/Atlas/Songs of Southside Independent/I Love Pizza/WB, ASCAP; MCA Nashville (CDX) 
—This is one rousing, romping good-time single. The track stutters and thumps  delightfully, and his vocal invites you to sing, shout and knock yourself out. Smiles for miles.

Granger Smith

Granger Smith

GRANGER SMITH/Backroad Song
Writer: Granger Smith/Frank Rogers; Producer: Frank Rogers & Granger Smith; Publisher: Climbing Windmills/House of Sea Gayle, BMI/ASCAP; Thirty Tigers (track) (www.grangersmith.com)
—He has a very attractive, intimate, smokey baritone, and his midtempo tune is irresistibly catchy. This gets my vote as a summertime song.

SHANIA TWAIN/Man I Feel Like a Woman
Writer: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Eagle Vision/Universal DVD (track) 
—Twain says she’s working on a new CD and has so many songs that she has to edit them down to a manageable group. In the meantime, we have the DVD of her Vegas residency, Still the One: Shania Twain Live From Vegas. That’s where you can see as well as hear her romp through this 1997 Grammy-winning smash. She not only looks and sounds great, the lighting, effects, dancing, camera work and staging are all simply first rate. The clip is on YouTube. It will more than convince you that this is one concert DVD that’s well worth the price of admission.

STEPHANIE QUAYLE/That’s What I’m Talking About
Writer: Lindsay Rimes/Emily Shackleton/Phil Barton; Producer: Ilya Toshinsky; Publisher: EMI Australia/Warner-Tamerlane/Better Boat/Sony-ATV, BMI; Rebel Engine 
—As if we don’t have enough men singing bro-country lyrics ….. now we have the chick version of that.

Soundcloud Reaches Deal with 20k Labels

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Soundcloud-LogoSoundcloud—a website where 180 million unique users upload, listen to and share audio files each month—today (June 4) announced an agreement with 20,000 independent labels through Merlin, the global digital rights agency for the independent sector.

Terms include the labels sharing in advertising revenue, data analytics, and control over infringing uploads. On Soundcloud, allowing advertising control for creators, was announced last year. The streaming service expects to roll out a subscription service this year.

This news comes after a breakdown in negotiations with Sony led to a removal of music from some of its largest label acts (Kelly Clarkson, Adele) early last month. At that same time, the National Music Publishers’ Association reached a publishing agreement for its independent music publisher and songwriters members to receive royalties for their work on the streaming site. Sony/ATV also reached a publishing agreement, while Warner Music Group signed a label agreement. The largest record label, Universal Music Group, is reportedly still in talks.

The free site launched in 2008 and has since been a place for artist discovery (Lorde, Leon Bridges) and music releases (Beyonce, Miguel, Drake). Among the Nashville companies who use the site frequently are Big Yellow Dog, Carnival Music, Creative Nation and Big Machine Label Group.

‘MusicRow’ Challenge Coins Celebrate No. 1 Hits

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MusicRow distributes its No. 1 Challenge Coin to the artists and songwriters who have achieved a No. 1 hit on the CountryBreakout Chart. These are some of the recent presentations. See the complete list of recipients here.

Diamond Rings And Old Barstools

Pictured (L-R):

Pictured (L-R): Barry Dean, Jonathan Singleton, Luke Laird

The writers for Tim McGraw’s “Diamond Rings And Old Barstools” received their coins after the song went No. 1 on May 7, 2015.

Roller Coaster

Pictured (L-R): Troy Stephenson, Michael Carter, Sherod Robertson

Pictured (L-R): Troy Stephenson, Michael Carter, Sherod Robertson

Songwriter, producer, and Luke Bryan’s band leader, Michael Carter receives his Challenge Coin for Bryan’s song “Roller Coaster.” It went No. 1 on the CountryBreakout Chart on September 11, 2014.

Sippin’ On Fire

Pictured (L-R):

Pictured (L-R): MusicRow’s Sherod Robertson, Rodney Clawson, Matt Dragstrem, Cole Taylor, Hill Management’s Jeri Cooper.

Florida Georgia Line’s “Sippin’ On Fire” hit the top of the CountryBreakout Chart on May 21, 2015. The songwriters accepted their coins at the Big Loud Shirt office in Nashville.

SOURCE Awards Recipients Honored at ASCAP Luncheon

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(L to R): Mary Del Scobey, Gayle Holcomb, Phyllis Deen Hill, Nancy Shapiro, Sally Williams

SOURCE honorees (L-R): Mary Del Scobey, Gayle Holcomb, Phyllis Deen Hill, Nancy Shapiro, Sally Williams. (not pictured Cindy Mabe and the late Terrell Tye). Photo: Denise Fussell

The 2015 SOURCE awards honorees were celebrated at a special luncheon May 28 at ASCAP in Nashville. The event saluted Phyllis Deen Hill, Sun Records; Gayle Holcomb, WME; Cindy Mabe, UMG: Mary Del Scobey, Almo Irving Music; Nancy Shapiro, Recording Academy; Sally Williams, Ryman Auditorium; and Terrell Tye, Forerunner Music (posthumously).

These women will again be honored for their career achievements at the 2015 SOURCE Awards ceremony at the Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum at the Municipal Auditorium September 29.

SOURCE was founded in 1991 to support and recognize women in the Nashville music industry and pay tribute to those who are presently making major contributions to the industry through their work. The awards were established in 2003 to honor women who helped build and fortify the Nashville music industry through their efforts.

MusicRowPics: ‘Laugh A Little’ With Michelle Wright

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L-R: MR’s Kelsey Grady, Grassroots Promotion’s Nancy Tunick, MR’s Troy Stephenson, MR’s Eric Parker, Wright, Grassroots’ Shawna Chatfield, MR’s Sherod Robertson, MR’s Sarah Skates

Country music star Michelle Wright visited the MusicRow office to play some new music and a classic hit for the staff.

Wright was signed to Arista Nashville in 1990 and had a Top 10 hit with “Take It Like A Man.” She also had a Top 20 Billboard Hot AC hit with “Your Love.”

Since then, she has continued to dominate the Canadian country music scene. Just last month, she was awarded Female Artist of the Year by the The Country Music Association of Ontario.

Even though she has been living in Middle Tennessee since signing her record deal, she hasn’t been pursuing touring or radio airplay in the United States, until now.

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She has released a new album and single to country radio, and is working with Grassroots Promotion.

Wright performed the single, “Laugh A Little,” which was written by Jason Sellers, Lynn Hutton, and Terri Jo Box.

Wright co-wrote 10 of the 11 songs on her new album. During the visit, she also played the title track, “Strong,” which was inspired by her business manager of 28 years, Sue Ferriman, who passed away from ALS in August 2014.

The MusicRow staff also enjoyed an acoustic performance of her hit, “Take It Like A Man.” Wright recalls recording the song and coming out of the booth to the drummer saying, “If that song isn’t a hit, I will go sell shoes for a living.” Rest assured, that drummer did not end up selling shoes.

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Members Of The “Drinking Class” Celebrate No. 1 In Nashville

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Pictured Back Row (L-R): ASCAP’s Mike Sistad, Big Yellow Dog’s Danni O’Neill, Amylase’s Ben Vaughn and Whit Jeffords, producers Kyle Jacobs and Matt McClure, Curb Records’ Mike Curb and Jim Ed Norman, BMI’s Bradley Collins. Front Row: BMI songwriter David Frasier, BMI singer/songwriter Lee Brice, songwriter Josh Kear, BMI songwriter Ed Hill

Pictured Back Row (L-R): ASCAP’s Mike Sistad, Big Yellow Dog’s Danni O’Neill, Warner/Chappell’s Ben Vaughn, Amylase’s Whit Jeffords, producers Kyle Jacobs and Matt McClure, Curb Records’ Mike Curb and Jim Ed Norman, BMI’s Bradley Collins. Front Row: BMI songwriter David Frasier, BMI singer/songwriter Lee Brice, ASCAP songwriter Josh Kear, BMI songwriter Ed Hill

Nashville’s The Pour House was a packed house yesterday (June 3), as BMI and ASCAP co-hosted a No. 1 celebration for the song “Drinking Class,” performed by Lee Brice.

The song was penned by BMI songwriters David Frazier and Ed Hill, and ASCAP songwriter Josh Kear. After writing together for 15 years, it is their first shared No. 1. It was noted that this is Frazier’s first overall No. 1, so BMI’s Bradley Collins presented him with a BMI guitar to commemorate the milestone.

“Drinking Class” marks Brice’s fifth No. 1 as an artist. He also produced the song along with Kyle Jacobs and Matt McClure.

During the celebration, Big Yellow Dog’s Danni O’Neill and Amylase’s Whit Jeffords offered their congratulations, as did representatives from the CMA and CRB.

Curb Records founder Mike Curb spoke on behalf of his label. “In all my years in this business, I’ve never met someone that is the real deal more than Lee Brice,” said Curb.

Ron Cox of Avenue Bank announced a donation on behalf of the songwriters to The Nashville Rescue Mission.

Ed Hill has been in the music scene since the 1970s and was the 2006 BMI Songwriter of the Year. “I don’t take one second for granted,” said Hill. “I’m very proud to be a part of this record.”

David Frazier made sure he thanked everyone that supported him throughout his career. “I’m a late bloomer, but I’m thankful to be celebrating my first No. 1.”

ASCAP’s Mike Sistad took to the stage to salute Josh Kear. Sistad said that “Drinking Class” marks the eleventh No. 1 song for Kear, who was the 2013 ASCAP Songwriter of the Year and is a 4-time Grammy winner. As Kear spoke, he made a point to thank the record label. “To the Curb promotion staff. Thank you, thank you, thank you.”

Lee Brice takes pride in being a songwriter, but also gave credit to the songwriting community for their efforts. “It all starts with a song. And as a songwriter, I know what it takes to get up every day and go to work. To the writers of this song, thank you.” Lee continued, “To the producers, thank you for all the time you put it into this project.”