Songwriters Invade Key West

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The 14th Annual Key West Songwriters Festival boasted a record number of songwriters, as anchor-sponsor BMI arrived in the Florida hotspot with more than 150 troubadours in tow. Presented by Better Angels Music and benefiting the Muzak Heart & Soul Foundation, the festival started in style on Wednesday 4/29), with BMI’s kick-off party at La Concha Hotel.
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Front row (l-r)  BMI’s Beth Mason and Bradley Collins; writers James Slater and Tim Nichols. Middle row (l-r_  GAC’s Storme Warren; BMI’s Perry Howard; Copyright Exchange’s Chip Petree; BMI’s Mark Mason; This Music’s Rusty Gaston; writer Luke Laird. Back row (l-r) writer Jimmy Yeary; Copyright Exchange’s Richard Orga; Better Angels Music’s Rob Rappaport; Copyright Exchange’s Dwight Wiles; writer Marty Dodson; Karen Williams; BMI’s Jody Williams; writers Chuck Cannon and David Lee; BMI’s Clay Bradley; writers Dave Pahanish and Wynn Varble. (Photo by Brian Tipton)

Between songwriter showcases and other gatherings, ASCAP hosted its 4th Annual ASCAP/ole Key West Songwriters Festival Fishing Tournament. This year’s winner was Major Bob Publishing’s Jesse Frasure, and the fish he caught was truly a whopper.

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Pictured back on dry land are (l-r) ole CCO Gilles Godard; ASCAP’s Ralph Murphy; ole Chairman & CEO Robert Ott; winner of the Biggest Fish Award and Major Bob Director of A&R Jesse Frasure; ASCAP’s Mike Sistad and Jesse Willoughby. (Photo: Alan Mayor)

Rascal Flatts and Hershey Offer “Summertime S’mores”

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smoresIn a promotion that just might make you break into the chorus of “Melt,” the Hershey Company has joined forces with country superstars Rascal Flatts to celebrate the magic of s’mores. Hershey’s will be a sponsor of Rascal Flatts’ American Living Unstoppable 2009 concert tour and bring the partnership to life with a national television commercial and the Hershey’s S’mores Rocks Your Block promotion, giving fans the chance to win an exclusive s’mores-themed block party with Rascal Flatts at center stage.

flattsThe promotion will bring unprecedented Rascal Flatts access to fans nationwide. Celebrating gooey s’mores, the promotion will offer Rascal Flatts-themed prizes to consumers each day from May-September. One lucky fan will “rock their block” with a private block party for 100 friends featuring Rascal Flatts while others will win $2,500 Visa gift cards to create their own s’mores-themed block parties. Other prizes include VIP trips to Rascal Flatts concerts and 100,000 music downloads. The sweepstakes will be promoted at retail on specially marked Hershey’s products. Click here for your chance to win.

Musicrow.com reformatted 4 iPhone

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MusicRow.com has been reformatted for speed and ease of design for iPhone, iPod touch, Google Android and Blackberry Storm mobile surfers. iphonemenu When visiting  MusicRow.com using one of the aforementioned mobile devices the information will automatically display in the fast loading, quick read mobile format. At the top of the new page is a menu link which offers access to special sections on the site including the Country Breakout radio chart, CD/single/events release calendar, advertising information and  subscription link.

In recent weeks Apple was rated highest among smartphone manufacturers by J.D. Power. According to Cnet the iPhone owns a 66.61% share of web browsing in the mobile space. The next closest share is by the RIM Java2ME browser which gets 9%.

Pickler and Smith To Host CMT Noms

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0afe5571-3048-8909-ccbd16b39692dfad_200For the first time, CMT will be interrupting its regularly scheduled programming to present the 2009 CMT Music Awards Nominee Special on Tuesday, May 19 at 9:00 – 9:30 AM/CT. The 30-minute special, hosted by 2008 USA Weekend Breakthrough Video of the Year winner Kellie Pickler and CMT’s Lance Smith, will feature the music and videos of country music’s elite as decided by fan voting.

The special will simulcast on cmt.com and a version will be available on CMT Mobile. Fan voting began on April 13 lanceand continues through May 11, only at CMT.com. On Tuesday, May 19, CMT will announce the four finalists in each of the categories, with the exception of Video of the Year. Fans can then vote online at CMT.com through June 15 to determine the winners. The final nominees for Video of the Year will be announced at the beginning of the live show and fans can vote at CMT.com and via text on their Verizon Wireless phones throughout the live broadcast (ET/CT only) to determine the night’s big winner.

The 2009 CMT Music Awards premieres live on Tuesday, June 16 at 7:00 PM/CT on CMT and CMT.com with performances by Toby Keith, Brad Paisley, Rascal Flatts, Sugarland, Taylor Swift, Keith Urban and British rockers Def Leppard.

Jamey Johnson and Randy Houser Play for Opry Fund

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jameyjohnson_08_v_eCountry stars Jamey Johnson and Randy Houser, along with friend and fellow songwriter Jerrod Niemann, will be bringing “The Traler Park Revival Show” to the Ryman Auditorium on May 28 at 7:30 PM. All proceeds from the show will benefit the Opry Trust Fund which provides financial assistance to members of the country music industry in times of need. Years ago, the three artists got together often and played as “The Traler Park Show.” “The name ‘Traler Park’ originated years ago when myself and several guys, including Jamey, shared a writer’s room at the UA Tower in randyhouser1Nashville,” says Houser. “We named the room Trailer Park, so a sign went up above the door, TRALER PARK, and it stuck — misspelling and all.” Pre-Sale tickets are available at jameyjohnson.com; randyhouser.com; myspace.com/jameyjohnson; myspace.com/randyhouser and myspace.com/jerrodniemann. Tickets are $20 and will be available at ryman.com, opry.com, 1-800-SEE-OPRY, and the Ryman and Opry House Box Offices on April 24.

Country Stars Read For Kids

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Over sixty country musicians from Canada and the United States are partnering with the Waterloo Public Library (WPL) in Waterloo, Ontario, Canada to celebrate libraries and support family literacy in the community through an innovative program dubbed Country Musicians Rock and Read for Kids. Artists participating include Paul Brandt, Kix Brooks, George Canyon, Kenny Chesney, Terri Clark, Charlie Daniels, Sara Evans, Adam Gregory, Jewel, Miranda Lambert, Jason McCoy (Road Hammers), Jessie Farrell, James Otto, Brad Paisley and Darius Rucker. The musicians have shared the title of their favorite book with WPL, ranging from fiction to non-fiction, new releases and old favorites, adult and children’s books. Each musician has also donated an autographed CD or other memento to the project. WPL will be packaging each donated item with a copy of the musicians’ favorite books and auctioning them off on October 24 to support family literacy projects at WPL. Community members are encouraged to follow the progress of the project on Twitter (WaterlooLibrary) or get the latest updates on Country Musicians Rock and Read for Kids on the Facebook site. The library is also partnering with KIX 106.7 for the project, which is being timed to coincide with Canadian Library Month and Ontario Public Library Week in October.

Anastasia Brown to Judge “Peace Song Challenge”

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anastasia-brownNashville’s Anastasia Brown, President of 821 Entertainment Group and noted film music supervisor, will join music producer Bob Ezrin, international recording artist Yusuf (Cat Stevens), Oscar nominee Thavi Phrasavath and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame President Terry Stewart on the judges panel for Bring Peace Not Pain, an organization formed to further the message of peace through the efforts of individuals and various partnerships and entertainment programs. The judges will play a pivotal role in choosing the winning entry for the Peace Song Challenge. The contest is open to professional and amateur musicians who want to share their feelings, hopes and dreams about peace through an original song, soundtrack or music score. The winning entry may also become the official song of the organization and be used for all domestic and international campaigns.

The Grand Prize winner will receive an exclusive Gibson Guitar, an official “Agent of Peace” fleece jacket, inclusion in a major publicity announcement and posting of their song on the Bring Peace Not Pain’s website and YouTube. The winner will also be featured in an international news story and may  have the opportunity to perform his/her song at several upcoming events and be given the opportunity to promote his/her music as the official song of the campaign. Five runner-up entrants will receive an official “Agent of Peace” fleece jacket and mention on the website. Submissions for the contest are due by July 25 and must be submitted with a signed Official Entry form, copy of the Rules and Regulations, a CD of the song and written lyrics. All must be signed and dated by the original composer and be accompanied by a letter stating that they are original works. For more information, click here.

Pat Higdon Rises To UMPG Presidency

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pat-higdon-07David Renzer, Chairman & CEO, Universal Music Publishing Group (UMPG) has announced the promotion of Pat Higdon to President for Universal Music Publishing Group, Nashville. Most recently, Higdon served as Executive Vice President/General Manager for UMPG Nashville. In this new role, Higdon will preside over the company’s country music publishing activities, reporting to Renzer. The list of top writers that have trusted their song careers in Higdon’s hands includes Don Schlitz, Josh Turner, Dave Loggins, Troy Verges, Rivers Rutherford, Radney Foster, Shooter Jennings, Monty Powell, Matraca Berg, Anders Osborne, Gary Harrison, Troy Seals, Shawn Camp, Tim Mensy, and many more.

A Nashville native, Higdon broke into the music industry in the early ‘70s as a recording engineer at Nashville’s Woodland Sound before moving to Cedarwood Publishing. He then spent seven years with MCA Music, rising to MCA’s Vice President of Nashville operations. In the late `80s, he moved to Warner/Chappell Music, where he served as Senior Director of Creative Services. In 1989 Higdon founded Patrick Joseph Music as a joint venture with Warner/Chappell. He established a similar relationship in 1992 with Los Angeles-based Windswept Pacific Entertainment. The success of Patrick Joseph Music’s boutique catalog caught the attention of Universal Music Publishing Group and Higdon was tapped to run the Nashville operation in 1999. In his position with Universal, Higdon manages a catalog that spans the width of the musical landscape, from the 1940’s Folk/Blues of the Delmore Brothers, the 1950’s and 1960’s classics of Carl Perkins, Johnny Cash and Buddy Holly, country classics from Webb Pierce, Brenda Lee, Mel Tillis, and the works of Bob McDill, Pat Alger, Dickey Lee, Kostas, Mel Tillis, Marijohn Wilkin, Stephanie Bentley, Matraca Berg, Gary Burr, Troy Verges, Craig Wiseman, Emmylou Harris, Ed Hill, Marcus Hummon, and many more.

“What we’ve achieved is a testament to this company’s artists, songwriters, catalogues, and employees,” said Higdon. “I’m pleased to build on the great results we’ve achieved artistically and commercially over many years. I firmly believe in the mantra of great songs and great songwriters and have always invested in careers for the long haul. We’re building a catalogue at UMPG that I believe will weather the test of time.”

Capitol Ups Hodges To Sr. VP Promotion

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steve-hodges-09Capitol Records Nashville has promoted Steve Hodges to Senior VP, Promotion. Hodges previously held the position of VP Promotion. He will report directly to Mike Dungan, President and CEO of Capitol Records Nashville. Hodges came to Capitol Records Nashville in 1994 as Midwest Regional Director Promotion and then became the Regional Director for the Southeast. In 2005, he was promoted to Sr. Director National Promotion, and in 2006 he was promoted to VP, Promotion for the label. Prior to joining to Capitol Records Nashville, Hodges was program director at KDDK in Little Rock, AR and music director at Little Rock’s KIKX.

“I am thrilled to announce that Steve will be taking over the top executive position in our promotion department,” Dungan said. “In addition to the fact that he has been key to our success over the last several years, he’s well liked and respected in radio-land, our artists and staff adore him, his business acumen is top notch, and he just flat out knows how to move the ball forward. I am personally honored to work beside him, and excited about the future.”

Catino Named Stroudavarious President

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catinoJames Stroud, CEO of Stroudavarious Records, has announced the appointment of Bill Catino as the label’s new President. Catino, who has more than 40 years of industry experience, has worked with companies including CBS Records, RCA Records, MCA Records, Capitol Records and Universal Music Group (UMG) Nashville, playing a key role in the success of several country and pop artists’ careers such as Garth Brooks, George Strait, Keith Urban, Dolly Parton, Johnny Cash, Reba McEntire, Tammy Wynette, Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson and Meat Loaf. During his 17-year stint at Capitol Nashville, he served as Executive Vice President of Promotion, and was instrumental in the breakthrough success of Brooks, Urban, Trace Adkins, Dierks Bentley and Deana Carter. Catino then transitioned to UMG Nashville in the same capacity in 2005, where he re-joined his friend and co-President James Stroud. Together, they had success with Sugarland, Josh Turner, Billy Currington, Bon Jovi and others. Most recently, Catino has been a consultant to Stroud since the inception of Stroudavarious last summer.

“Bill Catino is an incredible music man who brings tremendous passion and drive to our team,” said Stroud.  “I could not have a finer executive or a better friend heading this company for me. We’re lucky to have him.”