Photos: Lee Ann Womack, Randy Rogers, Jackie Lee, Cassadee Pope, Chris Young

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Lee Ann Womack, Randy Rogers, Jackie Lee Sing In Support Of MusiCares

Pictured (L-R): Susan Stewart, recording artist Randy Rogers, Lee Ann Womack, artist/host of Nash FM’s Ty, Kelly and Chuck Chuck Wicks, Jackie Lee and MusiCares Debbie Carroll. Photo: Mickey Bernal/WireImage

Lee Ann Womack, Randy Rogers and Jackie Lee offered musical entertainment for a MusiCares event, hosted at Alan Jackson’s AJ’s Goodd Time Bar on Tuesday night (April 24). The acoustic evening featured food from Party Fowl, tequila from George Strait’s Codigo, brew from Yazoo and a silent auction from many artists, including Shore Fire Media clients.

Lee Ann Womack performs. Photo: Mickey Bernal/WireImage

Randy Rogers performs. Photo: Mickey Bernal/WireImage

Jackie Lee performs. Photo: Mickey Bernal/WireImage

Cassadee Pope Showcases Stage Production And Surprise Guests At Nashville Show

Pictured (L-R): Chris Young and Cassadee Pope. Photo: PFA

Cassadee Pope performed an 11-song set Tuesday night (April 24) at the Hutton Hotel’s Analog hall. The set included a surprise performance by Chris Young for the Grammy-nominated, No. 1 duet “Think of You,” in addition to stand-out tracks “Alien” and Pope’s latest single in nearly two years “Take You Home,” all produced by Corey Crowder. Pope’s girlfriends joined her on stage after a medley of pop tunes ending with a performance of Justin Timberlake’s “Can’t Stop the Feeling,” including Maren Morris, Lindsay Ell, Kalie Shorr, Mickey Guyton, Maggie Rose, Natalie Stovall, Kelleigh Bannen and Hannah Ellis. Pope will tour with her four-piece band, including a stop at CMA Fest’s Riverfront Stage after wrapping three appearances on The Voice as a key adviser for coach Kelly Clarkson’s team earlier this month.

Cassadee Pope with backup celebrity power from Maren Morris, Lindsay Ell, Kalie Shorr, Mickey Guyton, Maggie Rose, Natalie Stovall, Kelleigh Bannen and Hannah Ellis. Photo: PFA

The Oak Ridge Boys, Trea Landon Perform At BMI Series

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Pictured (L-R): BMI’s Mason Hunter, Duane Allen, William Lee Golden, 95.5 NASH Icon’s Lisa Manning, Richard Sterban, BMI’s Branden Bosler, BMI’s Jody Williams, Joe Bonsall and Lightning Rod Records’ Logan Rogers.

Despite poor weather, Music Row tastemakers, family and friends packed out the BMI lobby rather than the rooftop on April 24 to enjoy the first of several summer shows to be held at BMI.

Hosted by BMI with the help of event sponsors George Dickel Tennessee Whisky, NASH FM 103.3 and 95.5 NASH ICON, attendees were treated to special performances from up-and-coming Warner recording artist Trea Landon and legendary group The Oak Ridge Boys.

Pictured: The Oak Ridge Boys perform to an engaged crowd at Rooftop On The Row.

The Oak Ridge Boys performed several of their greatest hits before playing a few new tracks off their latest 17th Avenue Revival, produced by BMI songwriter Dave Cobb. Food and beverages were provided by sponsors George Dickel Tennessee Whisky, Texas Roadhouse, Topo Chico, Sam Adams and Twisted Tea, with a few lucky attendees receiving Yeti Rambler tumblers.

Upcoming BMI shows include Charlie Worsham and Lucie Silvas (May 22), Travis Denning and Riley Green (June 20), Morgan Wallen and Kalie Shorr (July 17), Mitchell Tenpenny and Lindsay Ell (Aug. 21).

Pictured: Trea Landon performs in the BMI lobby.

 

AIMP Announces Initial Agenda for Second Annual Indie Music Publishing Summit

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The Association of Independent Music Publishers (AIMP) Indie Music Publishing Summit, which will take place in New York City on Tuesday, June 12, has announced its first slate of featured speakers and panels. Featured speakers include a keynote conversation with John Josephson, Chairman/CEO of SESAC, and the slate of panels will cover topics ranging from the current state of the industry and music supervision from both U.S. and international perspectives to New Revenue Opportunities for Independent Music Publishers, Digital Tools of the Trade, an update on international news from CISAC, and more.

Registration for the event is now open with full-priced tickets at $429, increasing to $529 after May 4, which includes a one-year Professional membership in the organization. Current Premier Professional and Professional members receive a 30% and 20% discount, respectively, off the non-member price; codes are available in the member section of aimp.org, and discounts are also available for members of the event’s promotional partners.

Confirmed AIMP Indie Music Publishing Summit Panel Agenda (more speakers to be added):
AIMP leadership kickoff address:
Alisa Coleman – AIMP NY Executive Director (ABKCO Music)
Michael Eames – AIMP President, Los Angeles (PEN Music Group)
John Ozier– AIMP Nashville Executive Director (ole)

CISAC Cross Industry Projects Update:
Teri Nelson Carpenter, President & CEO of Reel Muzik Werks, LLC and Vice President of AIMP

Digital Tools of the Trade:
John Raso, SVP of Client Services at HFA

International State of the Industry:
Teresa Alfonso, CEO of Teddysound, President of the Spanish Association of Music Publishers, and Executive Board at IMPF (Spain)
Ger Hatton, EU Specialist and IMPF Secretary General (Europe)
Jennifer Mitchell, CEO of Red Brick Songs and member of the CMPA Board of Directors (Canada)
Mary Megan Peer, Deputy CEO and President of Asia Pacific & Strategic Markets at peermusic (Asia)
Chris Butler, Group Head of Publishing & Rights at The Music Sales Group and President of ICMP Board of Directors (UK) (moderator)

Music Supervision Abroad:
How to navigate blanket licensing, multi-territorial licenses, and getting your music into commercials, TV shows, and films from overseas.
Nicky Bignell, BBC
Catherine Grimes, BBC

New Revenue Models for Songwriters and Music Publishers:
Chantal Epp, Clicknclear
Mark Greenburg, Tresona
Deborah Evans, Tracklib

U.S. Music Supervisors panel:
Ricki Askin, Vice
Megan Currier, Search Party

U.S. State of the Industry:
Michelle Lewis, Songwriter & Co-Founder of SONA
MaryJo Mennella, CEO of MNM and Pulse
Alison Smith, EVP of Broadcast Music Inc.
Kelli Turner, EVP, Operations, Corporate Development and CFO, SESAC
Amelia Wang Binder, Vice President, Industry & Government Affairs, NMPA
Teri Nelson Carpenter, President & CEO of Reel Muzik Werks, LLC and Vice President of AIMP (moderator)

In Pictures: Change The Conversation, ASCAP, BMI, SESAC

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Nielsen’s Erin Crawford Speaks At Change The Conversation

Pictured (L-R): Beverly Keel, Tracy Gershon, Lydia Schultz and Erin Crawford

Change the Conversation co-founders Beverly Keel and Tracy Gershon, SESAC’s Lydia Schultz and Nielsen Entertainment’s Erin Crawford hosted “The Power of Female Country Artists” at this month’s Change the Conversation event. The conversation included more than 75 attendees at the CMA office on Music Row.

 

ASCAP Gives Back To Room In The Inn

Pictured (L-R): ASCAP’s Robert Filhart, Room In The Inn’s Maggie Sananikone, Josh Martin, Marla Cannon-Goodman, ASCAP’s Mary Self, Room In The Inn’s Jonathan Mowry

Inspired by Country Music Hall of Fame member and lifelong ASCAP member Don Schlitz, ASCAP will feature writers to perform at the Room In The Inn shelter once a month throughout 2018, while ASCAP staff volunteers serve the guests.

In April., the series featured songwriter Marla Cannon-Goodman and songwriter-artist Josh Martin. ASCAP’s Mary Self and Robert Filhart were on hand to serve the guests alongside Room In The Inn staff and volunteers.

 

Nashville Bands Nightingail, Sun Seeker Join BMI’s Eastside Sounds

Pictured: BMI’s Nina Carter and Alt 97.5’s Jessica Kelley pose with Nightingail and Sun Seeker before the show. Photo: Emily Quirk

Nightingail and Sun Seeker rocked the Basement East Monday night (April 23) in the latest installment of BMI and Alt 97.5’s Eastside Sounds series. Indie-folk songwriter Alicia Gail kicked off the night as Nightingail, followed by a high-energy performance from Nashville-based alt-rockers Sun Seekers who debuted a few new tracks throughout their set. Each night offers free admission, a “happy half-hour” open bar sponsored by Bulleit Bourbon before the show, and two up-and-coming acts from Nashville’s emerging alternative scene. 

The series is slated to continue June 25, Aug. 20, Sept. 26 and Oct. 30 of this year. 

 

Nashville Startup RootNote Announces Inaugural Artist Investments

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Nashville-based startup RootNote has announced its inaugural investments into artist-owned companies, and has a third investment planned for the third quarter of 2018.

Founded by brothers Jason and Jeremy Burchard, RootNote works with entrepreneurial artists helping them build companies around their music, investing in them for equity, and supporting their long-term growth. In addition to capital, RootNote will help these artists and their existing teams develop tailored growth strategies and connect them with a network of forward-thinking industry professionals.

“This is an exciting moment,” said Jeremy Burchard. “Our goal is to provide a structure that allows artists to have the creative control and career autonomy they desire while still having access to the support and knowledge of the traditional music industry.”

“The beauty of the model is that it allows artists to still work with all the traditional components of the music industry, from major labels to publishers and sync licensing companies,” Jason Burchard said. “But it also opens up possibilities to work with outside capital, brands, and other partners. We want to ‘grow the pie’ in a global way.”

RootNote is also announcing the opening of its first round of capital raise. While the company’s inaugural three investments are already funded, RootNote is raising $400,000 to expand the team and make four additional investments into artists in 2019. Officially founded in September 2016, RootNote joined 12 other music startups as the sole Nashville company to participate in the Project Music Portfolio music tech accelerator program.

Spotify Offers Upgrades For Free Tier Users

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Spotify’s mobile device free tier got new updates this week, allowing for greater discovery of new tunes and access to up to 15 playlists, including RapCaviar and New Music Friday. Users can also play songs on demand for the first time.

The mobile free tier will offer the same options found on the premium tier, including the same daily-mix playlists such as Discover Weekly and Release Radar, as well as a simplified home screen. Among the differences in the free and premium tiers are absence of ads, offline access to music, and more control for users.

New licenses from labels allow Spotify to offer 40 hours of personal music recommendations per week on the free tier.

During a recent revealing of the new features in New York, Spotify’s Troy Carter noted the service creates partnerships with artists, which come with financial benefits, particularly for younger artists.

“When you’re looking at the old model with physical, you get a one-time payment,” Carter said. “With streaming, there’s a string of perpetual payments. Artists who are not locked into the CD model understand it better.”

Spotify’s execs also announced Data Saver, a toggle switch that optimizes the listening experience to use less mobile data when listening to music.

GoFundMe Account Set For Nashville Music Industry Member Sharita Henderson

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Sharita Henderson

Nashville music industry member Sharita Henderson, part of Cumulus Nashville’s pop station Nash FM 92Q Promotions Department, was with her friends at the Waffle House in Antioch on Sunday, April 22, when gunman Travis Reinking opened fire on the restaurant, killing four people and also injuring several others, including Henderson.

Henderson was shot several times, and required numerous surgeries at Vanderbilt. She is now listed in stable condition.

A GoFundMe account has been set up to support Henderson, with 100 percent of the money raised going directly to cover her medical expenses. The fund, which has a goal of $10,000, had raised nearly $7,800 by Wednesday morning (April 25).

To donate to the fund, visit gofundme.com.

Drake White To Release ‘Pieces’ EP In May

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Drake White will release his new EP, Pieces, the followup to his debut album, Spark, digitally via BMLG Records on May 4.

Produced by songwriter busbee, White co-penned two tracks featured alongside three additional outside cuts.

“I love writing that’s very simple, but it’s like, ‘Oh, I know exactly what you’re talking about,’ explained White. “I’m infatuated with words and trying to arrange them in a way that would make my heroes proud.”

TRACKLIST:

1. “Girl in Pieces” (busbee, Brad Tursi, Troy Verges)
2. “Grandpa’s Farm” (Brent Cobb, Adam Hood, Jason Saenz)
3. “Happy Place” (Drake White, busbee, Josh Osborne)
4. “Nothing Good Happens After Midnight” (Dan Isbell, Heather Lynn Morgan, Lindsay Rimes)
5. “The Best is Yet to Come” (Drake White, busbee, Josh Kear)

 

NSAI Honors Top Country, Christian Songwriters With Massive No. 1 Party

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Back row (L-R): Earle Simmons (SunTrust), Dusty Miller (SunTrust), Ashleigh Overly (SunTrust), Jaron Boyer, Ray Fulcher, Adam Hambrick, Brock Berryhill, Tom Douglas, Steve Bogard (NSAI President), David Hodges, Ben Hayslip, Josh Miller, Matt Dragstrem, Tim Timmons, AJ Pruis, Bart Millard. Front row (L-R): Lindsay Gum (NSAI Director of Events and Pro Membership), Kelly Archer, Emily Shackelton, Jordan Schmidt, Tebey Ottoh, Bart Herbison (NSAI Executive Director), Zach Crowell, Ashley Gorley, Ben Glover, Matt McGinn, Matthew West. [Click photo to enlarge]

The Nashville Songwriter’s Association International (NSAI) held their Spring No. 1 Party on Monday April 23, recognizing 75 songwriters (23 songs) for their No. 1 achievements during the period of August 2017-December 2017.

At the brunch event, sponsored by SunTrust Bank and held at The Listening Room Cafe, the songwriters were presented plaques for topping the Billboard Country or Christian, Airplay, Digital, and Hot Charts and/or Mediabase Country Airplay Chart.

No. 1 songs and songwriters honored include:

“All The Pretty Girls” – Josh Osborne, Nicolle Galyon, Tommy Lee James (recorded by Kenny Chesney)
“Ask Me How I Know” – Mitch Rossell (recorded by Garth Brooks)
“Body Like A Back Road” – Josh Osborne, Sam Hunt, Shane McAnally, Zach Crowell (recorded by Sam Hunt)
“Broken Things” – AJ Pruis, Jason Houser, Matthew West (recorded by Matthew West)
“Dear Hate” – David Hodges, Maren Morris, Tom Douglas (recorded by Maren Morris feat. Vince Gill)
“Do I Make You Wanna” – Ashley Gorley, Jerry Flowers, Matt Jenkins, Zach Crowell (recorded by Billy Currington)
“Drinkin’ Problem” – Cameron Duddy, Jess Carson, Josh Osborne, Mark Wystrach, Shane McAnally (recorded by Midland)
“Even If” – Bart Millard, Ben Glover, Crystal Lewis, David Garcia, Tim Timmons (recorded by MercyMe)
“Every Little Thing” – busbee, Carly Pearce, Emily Shackelton (recorded by Carly Pearce)
“Fix A Drink” – Ashley Gorley, Chris DuBois, Chris Janson (recorded by Chris Janson)
“Flatliner” – Cole Swindell, Jaron Boyer, Matt Bronleewe (recorded by Cole Swindell)
“Found You” – Brock Berryhill, Jared Mullins, Kane Brown, Taylor Phillips (recorded by Kane Brown)
“Greatest Love Story” – Brandon Lancaster (recorded by LANCO)
“He Saw Jesus” – Brett James, Kathie Lee Gifford (recorded by Kathie Lee Gifford)
“Heartache On The Dance Floor” – Bart Butler, Brice Long, Jon Pardi (recorded by Jon Pardi)
“I’ll Name The Dogs” – Ben Hayslip, Josh Thompson, Matt Dragstrem (recorded by Blake Shelton)
“Light It Up” – Brad Tursi, Luke Bryan (recorded by Luke Bryan)
“More Girls Like You” – David Garcia, Josh Miller, Kip Moore, Steven Lee Olsen (recorded by Kip Moore)
“No Such Thing As A Broken Heart” – Brad Tursi, Jesse Frasure, Matt Ramsey, Trevor Rosen (recorded by Old Dominion)
“Small Town Boy” – Ben Hayslip, Kyle Fishman, Rhett Akins (recorded by Dustin Lynch)
“Somebody Else Will” – Adam Hambrick, Kelly Archer, Tebey Ottoh (recorded by Justin Moore)
“Unforgettable” – Ashley Gorley, Jesse Frasure, Shane McAnally, Thomas Rhett (recorded by Thomas Rhett)
“What Ifs” – Jordan Schmidt, Kane Brown, Matt McGinn (recorded by Kate Brown feat. Lauren Alaina)
“When It Rains It Pours” – Jordan Walker, Luke Combs, Ray Fulcher (recorded by Luke Combs)

Jason Lehning Renews Publishing Deal With Spirit/Fluid

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Pictured (L-R): Frank Rogers (President/Founder, Fluid Music Revolution), Jason Lehning, AJ Burton (VP, Fluid Music Revolution), Billy Lynn (VP, Creative, Spirit Music Nashville), Brian Bradford (Sr. Director of Administration, Spirit Music Nashville), Daniel Hill (President, Spirit Music Nashville), Freeman Wizer, Sr. Director of Creative, Spirit Music Nashville, and Michelle Davey (Administration Coordinator/Office Manager, Spirit Music Nashville).

Spirit/Fluid, the Nashville-based joint venture between Spirit Music Group and Frank Rogers’ Fluid Music Revolution, has renewed its publishing deal with Jason Lehning.

“Fluid Music Revolution and Spirit Music Nashville are honored to continue our relationship with Jason Lehning. Jason has been great to work with – he’s an important part of the Spirit/Fluid family and we are excited about the music he is making,” said Rogers.

“I’m really excited to continue working with Frank, AJ and all the fantastic people at Fluid & Spirit,” said Lehning. “They’ve been a great home for me the last couple of years and I’m looking forward to more!”

Jason Lehning was born and raised in Nashville in a musical family. The son of producer Kyle Lehning (producer for Randy Travis, Jason was exposed to the recording process at an early age. After graduating from Berklee College of Music in Boston, Lehning returned to Nashville to begin work as an engineer. Lehning’s earliest work as an assistant engineer in several Nashville studios allowed him access on down-time to invite artists to record. His early demos with artist David Mead resulted in a record deal for the singer and Lehning’s first major label job as a producer. Since then, Lehning has been active as a producer, musician, composer, mixer and engineer, contributing to over 350 albums. The diverse range of artists with whom he has worked includes George Jones, Erasure, Mat Kearney, Guster, Bill Frisell, and Alison Krauss. Lehning has won two Grammy awards as an engineer and was nominated for the Best Engineer Grammy in 2008.

Recent cuts by Lehning include “Let’s Do Something Stupid” recorded by Thompson Square off of their upcoming album Masterpiece; “Run” recorded by The Buckleys which hit No. 1 in Australia; “Nag Champa” recorded by Republican Hair; and “Birthday Suit” from Charlie Worsham’s second album, Beginning of Things.