Pictured: (L-R) BMI’s Jody Williams and Mason Hunter, AT&T’s Bart Peters, BMI songwriter Michael Ray, AT&T’s Jennifer Miles and Tom Sauer and BMI’s Leslie Roberts.

BMI recently hosted “Nashville’s Next Big Wave,” a mixer for BMI writers who have just signed their first publishing deal. The mixer was presented by AT&T’s on-demand music channel “Country Deep.” Writers in attendance included Drew Castleberry (signed to Tree Vibez Music) and Jody Stevens and Jon Langston (both signed to Sony/ATV). Hosted by BMI’s Director, Writer-Publisher Relations, Leslie Roberts, the event was designed to bring newly-signed writers together to make friends, set up potential co-writes and simply become familiar with one another.

BMI songwriter Michael Ray, who recently celebrated his first No. 1 single “Kiss You In the Morning,” was on hand to provide words of encouragement to the more than 100 attendees, including the many freshly-signed writers.

“It was an honor to be asked by my BMI family to talk with the new songwriters and the future of our industry,” said Ray. “Country Deep has been such a great partner to me and it’s so exciting that they have teamed up with BMI to create these amazing writing rooms for all the BMI writers; I can’t wait to get in there and start writing.”

During the mixer, BMI and AT&T announced a new relationship, focusing on developing BMI writers into country music’s next stars. The newly-decorated songwriter rooms and the hallway between them will be known as the “Country Deep Songwriter Wing.” The rooms offer pianos, other instruments and a near-endless supply of coffee.

“We are excited about this new relationship with BMI in our continued efforts to support the Country Deep platform,” said Tom Sauer, Vice President, video development for AT&T. “We look forward to expanding our ongoing initiatives – from the artists we highlight every day on Country Deep to the songwriters creating the music.”

“AT&T, with its unique channel ‘Country Deep,’ is an exciting platform that has often supported our affiliates through special concerts, events and on-air performance opportunities,” said Mason Hunter, BMI’s Executive Director, Strategic Partnership. “I’m thrilled ‘Country Deep’ is supporting BMI and our mission to help songwriters hone their talents. BMI is pleased to have ‘Country Deep’ featured in our songwriter rooms and look forward to expanding this long term relationship.”

Writer rooms are available to BMI members only by appointment and inquiries should be directed to [email protected].

Pictured (L-R): John Saunderson, Professional Manager (NHM), Andy McQueen, Chairman (NHM). Standing (l to r): Chris Cavanaugh, Ginny Johnson, General Manager (NHM – Nashville), Leslie Satcher, and Brad Crisler. (Not pictured: Will Robinson)

Notting Hill Music Group has launched a Nashville office, with Creative Director Ginny Johnson. Johnson’s career includes time at MCA Music, Capitol Records, and Hamstein Music.

Four writers have been added to Notting Hill’s roster: Leslie Satcher, Brad Crisler, Will Robinson, and Chris Cavanaugh.

Alabama native Crisler’s songs include Sons of the Desert’s 1997 hit “Whatever Comes First,” which earned an ASCAP “most performed country song” award, as well as “Some Things Never Change” (Tim McGraw), “Sweet Southern Comfort” (Buddy Jewell), and “Hillbilly Deluxe” (Brooks & Dunn). He has had cuts on projects by Kenny Chesney, Tim McGraw, Rascal Flatts, Trace Adkins, Alabama, and more. He co-wrote and produced two tracks on Brett Eldredge’s current project Illinois.

Satcher is known for songs including “When God Fearin’ Women Get The Blues” (Martina McBride), “Troubadour” (George Strait), “Politically Uncorrect” (Merle Haggard/Gretchen Wilson), “Tough” (Kellie Pickler) and more.

Robinson has garnered eight No. 1 songs, three top 5 songs, two Top 10 songs, and two Top 20 songs, spanning six musical genres. Those songs include “Pass It On Down” (Alabama) and “I Know How He Feels” (Reba).

Cavanaugh is a recording artist and songwriter who will join as a special guest on the Kip Moore tour to promote his EP, Country As I Wanna Be.  Cavanaugh has opened shows for Thompson Square, Lee Brice, Eric Church, and others.

Group Chairman Andy McQueen says, “On a recent visit to Nashville we realized just how vibrant a music city Nashville has now become and how vital it was for us to find the right person to establish the Notting Hill brand in this wonderful city. Ginny came to us highly recommended by people we really respect and having got to know her properly I can fully understand why! She brings a passion for music and a huge amount of knowledge to the role and we are absolutely thrilled that she has chosen to join us.”

The Nashville outpost will be located at 3704 Estes Rd. in Nashville. Johnson can be reached at [email protected] or at 615-406-7071.

Ben Hayslip

Warner/Chappell Music (WCM), the global music publishing arm of Warner Music Group, along with Nashville-based music publishing company THiS Music, today announced that they have extended their worldwide co-publishing agreement with hit songwriter Ben Hayslip. Hayslip has twice been named ASCAP’s “Country Music Songwriter of the Year,” and twice been honored with the ASCAP Award for “Country Song of the Year” for Blake Shelton’s “Honey Bee” and Thomas Rhett’s “It Goes Like This.” Hayslip also wrote both George Strait’s and Dustin Lynch’s newly released singles.

“Over the years, I’ve built tremendous relationships with the teams at Warner/Chappell and THiS Music, and we’ve accomplished a lot together,” said Hayslip. “Support like theirs is invaluable and I look forward to working with them for many more years.”

“Ben Hayslip is one of the most driven songwriters I’ve ever had the opportunity of working with,” said Ben Vaughn, Executive Vice President, Warner/Chappell Music Nashville. “He was recently up for a single on a project, but the label decided to go another direction. Ben’s response was, ‘I’ll make my next song so undeniably good that they’ll have no choice but to put the song out.’ That attitude is exactly why he’s so successful. It’s such a pleasure to collaborate with him and the professionals at THiS Music”

“Ben’s desire for success is only outmatched by his unstoppable work ethic. He’s been on our team from day one and it’s an honor to continue to represent a man of his character and ability,” said Rusty Gaston, Partner/GM, THiS Music.

Hayslip has had his songs recorded by such renowned artists as Tim McGraw, Luke Bryan, Jason Aldean, Brantley Gilbert, Blake Shelton, Chris Young, Jake Owen, Martina McBride and Willie Nelson, among many others. Hayslip’s No. 1 hits include: Joe Nichols’ “Gimmie That Girl,” Josh Turner’s “All Over Me,” Blake Shelton’s “All About Tonight” and “Honey Bee,” Luke Bryan’s “I Don’t Want This Night to End,” Jason Aldean’s “The Only Way I Know” and “When She Says Baby,” Thomas Rhett’s “It Goes Like This,” Jake Owen’s “Anywhere With You,” and Justin Moore’s “Point At You.”

THiS Music was formed in 2006 by General Manager, Rusty Gaston and songwriters Tim Nichols and Connie Harrington, and launched in partnership with Warner/Chappell Music.

Pictured (L-R): Ralph Murphy (ASCAP), Lew Garrison (Garrisongs 1-4-5), Matthew Becket (Beckett Law), Kelly Donley (Safford Motley, PLC), Jack Williams, Beth Brinker (ASCAP), Lynn Gann (LGME!), Michael Martin (ASCAP) & Mike Sistad (ASCAP).

Jack Williams has signed a songwriter agreement with Lynn Gann Music Enterprises (LGME!) in conjunction with Garrisongs 1-4-5. Williams’ recent cuts include “Back on a Dirt Road” by Montgomery Gentry, as well as recordings by Kevin Costner & Modern West, Aaron Pritchett, Kendra Kay and Rivertown Saints.

Williams signed his first songwriting contract in 1976. His credits include cuts by Gregg Allman, Blackfoot, Uriah Heep and Molly Hatchet. The Oak Ridge Boys and Steve Earle have also recorded Williams’ material.

With 27 years of publishing experience, Gann opened LGME! in 2014. Garrisongs 1-4-5 is the music publishing entity of Birmingham, Ala.-based songwriter/attorney Lew Garrison.