Pictured (L-R): Jody Williams, VP, Writer Publisher Relations, BMI; Bob DiPiero; Whitney Daane, SVP Creative, Kobalt Music Publishing; Stephanie Cox, VP Creative, Kobalt Music Publishing. Photo: John Russell

Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame member Bob DiPiero has joined Kobalt Music Publishing, under a worldwide administration agreement in which Kobalt will administer and provide global creative services for DiPiero’s current and future works.

Pop stars Meghan Trainor, Ariana Grande and Who Is Fancy performed one of DiPiero’ cuts, “Boys Like You,” Monday night (Nov. 21) on Dancing With The Stars. The single was co-written by DiPiero, Jason Gantt, and artist Fancy.

“I am so excited to write this new chapter of my career with the 21st century cutting-edge of Kobalt,” DiPiero said. “The cash flow transparency that Kobalt offers to a songwriter is unparalleled in our industry. No black boxes here. I am also a big fan of the powerful ladies at Kobalt Nashville. Whitney Daane is a warrior for songwriters. I have always hoped to work with Laura Wright Alexander, and Stephanie Cox and I go all the way back to the Little Big Town music group. I feel blessed and inspired to write songs the whole world will sing along with.”

Whitney Daane, Senior Vice President of Creative (Nashville) at Kobalt said, “We are so excited to have Bob joining our global roster. He represents the best of the past, present and future of country music; his enthusiasm for his craft, for supporting young artists and for life in general is infectious, and we are thrilled to be working with him creatively, not only in Nashville but around the world!”

DiPiero has had more than 1,000 of his songs recorded. He has penned a No. 1 country single in each of the past four decades, beginning with 1983’s “American Made,” recorded by The Oak Ridge Boys. He has amassed 15 No. 1 hits, and is an inductee in the Nashville Walk of Fame.

Among his other awards are 50 BMI “Million-Air” Awards, multiple Songwriter of the Year awards and two consecutive Triple Play awards for three No. 1 songs within a 12-month period. DiPiero is the originator of the CMA Songwriters Series and has served as its host for 10 years, bringing Nashville’s songwriters and artists throughout the United States and overseas to Belfast, Dublin, London and Paris. Most recently, the CMA presented DiPiero with their CMA Chairman’s Award in recognition of his outstanding contributions to the music industry and songwriting community.

Sony Music Nashville, Sony/ATV Music Publishing Celebrate Chris Young’s “I’m Comin’ Over”

Sony Music Nashville Chairman & CEO Randy Goodman and Sony/ATV Music Publishing Nashville President/CEO Troy Tomlinson head up the smiling faces toasting the No. 1 airplay success of Chris Young’s “I’m Comin’ Over” outside the Sony/ATV office. The song was co-written by Josh Hoge, Young, and Corey Crowder.

Pictured (standing, L-R): Sony/ATV’s Dale Dodson, Terry Wakefield, Duff Berschback, and Tom Luteran; Goodman; Sony Music Nashville’s Steve Hodges and Ken Robold; Tomlinson; and Sony Music Nashville’s Taylor Lindsey, Jim Catino, Lesly Simon, Margaret Tomlin, Keith Gale, and Angie Magill; (seated, L-R): Sony/ATV’s Abbey Adams, Hannah Williams, Ed Williams, and Josh Van Valkenburg.

Michael Ray, StubHub Support Student Musicians

Michael Ray performs for students at Hunters Lane High School in Nashville. Photo: Devin Williams/StubHub

StubHub and The Mr.Holland’s Opus Foundation surprised nearly 600 students and staff of Nashville’s Hunters Lane High School with an instrument donation valued at $39,000 along with a special performance by country artist, Michael Ray.

Allie Louise Launches First Radio Tour

Pictured (L-R): Kayla McKenzie, On Air Personality (WJMQ-FM), and Allie Louise

Allie Louise (Sixth Beat Productions), is setting the stage for the release of her self-titled debut EP. The sixteen-year-old launched her first radio tour and set out on its first leg to introduce her current single, “Perfect Storm,” from the six-song project, due in mid-January with producers Eddie Gore, John Jaszez and Doug Kahan.

William Michael Morgan Celebrates SiriusXM “The Highway” Success

Pictured (L -R): Jimmy Wayne, Storme Warren (Sirius XM) and William Michael Morgan

William Michael Morgan stopped by Sirius XM recently to talk with Storme Warren about his debut single “I Met a Girl” hitting No. 1 on “The Highway” countdown.

ole Inks Administration Deal With Reviver Records

Pictured (L-R): David Ross, President/CEO, Reviver Records; Chris Lucas, LOCASH; Tim
McGraw; Preston Brust, LOCASH; John Ozier, GM Creative, ole; Randall
Foster, Sr. Director Creative Licensing, ole

ole has signed an exclusive administration agreement with the publishing arm of Reviver Records, LLC.

“Reviver Records is an exciting new name in the Nashville scene, and ole is looking forward to providing increased exposure and wide-ranging opportunities for their roster of artists,” said John Ozier, GM of Nashville Creative at ole. “With ole’s world-class publishing resources and expert, well-connected staff behind them, there’s no telling how high Reviver’s artists can climb both in Nashville and around the globe.”

“After opening our Nashville office in December 2014, we met the folks at ole and were extremely impressed with the work they do on behalf of their songwriters on Music Row and throughout the world,” said David Ross, President and CEO of Reviver Records. “We know that they will work tirelessly on behalf of our artists and are excited to see what we can accomplish together.”

Reviver was founded by Ross, who has worked with SonyBMG Music Worldwide Entertainment, the TJ Martell Foundation, CMJ, Alpha Distributors, and his own S*Management. Reviver Publishing, based in New Jersey under Reviver Records, LLC, a production and management company, has recently found a second home in Nashville, Tennessee.

Reviver Records has featured acts such as Jeff Daniels, Lee Ann Womack, Phil Vassar, Ricky Skaggs, SHeDAISY, Steel Magnolia, Steve Earle, Will Hoge, and many more. Reviver Publishing and Reviver Records, LLC, has since signed R&B artist Little Anthony, a 2009 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee; rising country duo LOCASH; and country rock band Blackjack Billy.

Creek Valley Music Signs Sarah Beth Terry

Pictured (L-R): Kent Wells and Sarah Beth Terry

Creek Valley Music, a division of Kent Wells Productions, has signed songwriter Sarah Beth Terry to an exclusive global publishing agreement.

“Sarah Beth is one of the most gifted and prolific songwriters I’ve ever worked with – we’re very excited about having her as part of our team,” said Creek Valley Music owner and hit producer Kent Wells.

Terry was born and raised in Irvine, Kentucky, where she started writing songs at 12 years old. She relocated to Nashville after graduating from Transylvania University in Lexington, Kentucky, with a Bachelors in Music Education. In 2010, Terry relocated to Fort Polk, Louisiana, with her husband and, in 2013, opened Queen Bee & Co. Music Studio, a teaching studio specializing in guitar, piano, bass, drums, voice and songwriting instruction. She now splits her time between her homes in Louisiana, Nashville, and Milan, Italy.

“I’m honored to be working with the caliber of talent that is Kent Wells,” said Terry. “I’ve always felt right at home in Nashville and I’m thankful my songs now have such a great home at Creek Valley Music.”

Wells is known for his production work with Dolly Parton, and he has served as musical director for her recent tours. Wells has also toured and recorded with Reba, Kenny Rogers, Keith Whitley and the Oak Ridge Boys.

Pictured (L-R): Front Row: Missy Wilson, Sr. Creative Director, UMPG; Paul DiGiovanni; Rohan Kohli, Ozone Management. Back Row: Kent Earls, EVP/GM, UMPG Nashville; Ron Stuve, VP A&R, UMPG; Cyndi Forman, VP, Creative, UMPG; Robert Filhart, ASCAP.

Universal Music Publishing Group (UMPG) has signed an exclusive, global publishing deal with songwriter/artist Paul DiGiovanni.

“Paul’s extensive history of commercial success in pop/rock has allowed him to bring such a fresh perspective and an ear for a hit to his country music songwriting. The demos and tracks he’s producing are dynamic and exciting to both the A&R and songwriting community, as well,” said Executive VP/GM of UMPG Nashville, Kent Earls. “We’re thrilled to welcome him to our Universal Music Publishing family.”

Before transitioning into a full-time country songwriter/producer based out of Nashville, DiGiovanni spent nine years in Columbia Records pop/rock group Boys Like Girls, which sold over 1 million albums and over seven million digital singles. The band had six consecutive charting Top 40 radio singles (“Two Is Better Than One” feat. Taylor Swift, “Love Drunk,” “The Great Escape,” “Hero/Heroine,” “Thunder,” and “Heart Heart Heartbreak”) and multiple platinum singles. The band performed on Jimmy Kimmel Live, ABC’s The View, CBS’ Early Show, and MTV’s New Years Eve, and toured with such artists as Avril Lavigne, Butch Walker, and The All-American Rejects.

“I couldn’t be more excited to become a part of UMPG. I felt immediately inspired by Kent, Missy and the whole team, and joining such a talented roster is a dream come true. Looking forward to a lot of hard work and success together in the future,” added DiGiovanni.

Pictured (L-R): Abbe Nameche, plugger/consultant; Jon D’Agostino, Demolition President; Steve Bloch, plugger/consultant; Megan Conner; Shane Barrett, plugger/consultant.

Nashville’s Demolition Music Publishing is proud to announce the signing of songwriter Megan Conner.

“Our entire team is thrilled to have Megan on board,” said Demolition President, Jon D’Agostino. “She brings so much talent, experience and positivity to the writing room it’s insane!”

Megan has had recent cuts by Rascal Flatts, Chris Young, The Swon Brothers, and Danny Gokey.