Sony/ATV Nashville Promotes Josh Van Valkenburg To Sr. VP

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Josh Van Valkenburg 2015

Josh Van Valkenburg

Sony/ATV Nashville has promoted Josh Van Valkenburg to the role of Senior Vice President, Nashville A&R.

In his new position, Van Valkenburg will head up Nashville A&R and will be responsible for new songwriter and artist signings, continuing to develop Sony/ATV’s existing roster, and managing the A&R creative team.

Van Valkenburg will report to Sony/ATV Nashville President/CEO Troy Tomlinson who oversees the company’s Nashville operation.

Tomlinson said, “I’ve had the opportunity to work closely with Josh for the past three years since he joined our team with the acquisition of EMI Music Publishing. He has proven his ability to recognize and develop new talent and has the ability to relate to the various players in the Nashville music community. Additionally, Josh has demonstrated leadership skills that will both challenge and inspire our A&R team.”

Van Valkenburg commented, “It’s an honor to lead the A&R team of such a distinguished and historic publishing house. I’m excited to work alongside such an innovative, focused and passionate creative team and I strongly believe that we can continue to build upon our culture here—one that appreciates, cares for and protects its songwriters. We are blessed to work under the same roof as some of the best and brightest songwriters in Nashville and we will continue to deliver for them at the highest level. I want to thank Marty Bandier, Danny Strick and especially Troy Tomlinson for their belief in me. I look forward to making the most of this opportunity.”

Van Valkenburg began his career at EMI in 2005. Since joining Sony/ATV he has guided the songwriting careers of hit writer/producers Ross Copperman and Chris DeStefano, CMA New Artist of the Year Brett Eldredge, platinum-selling artist Chase Rice and rising stars JOHNNYSWIM, as well as CMA Triple Play songwriter Jon Nite.

Sony/ATV Nashville houses country music’s most revered catalogs including Acuff-Rose, Tree and EMI’s associated Nashville companies. It has been named BMI’s Publisher of the Year for an unprecedented 13 consecutive years, as well as Billboard’s Country Publisher of the Year for the same time period.

Publishing Hirings: Brahan Joins Big Yellow Dog, Segura to Centricity

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Elizabeth Brahan

Elizabeth Brahan

Brahan to Big Yellow Dog

Elizabeth Brahan has joined Big Yellow Dog Music as Catalog Manager. An MTSU alumna, Brahan graduated with an honors degree in Music Business & Recording Industry, and has held previous positions as Catalog Manager at Combustion Music, and Licensing and Administrative Assistant at Big Loud Bucks Administration.

“Elizabeth’s experience, worth ethic and attitude are the perfect combination for this position. She is a true asset to our staff,” said Big Yellow Dog A&R Director, Danni O’Neill.

Centricity Names Segura VP

Chad Segura has been named Vice President of Centricity Publishing. In his new role, Segura will oversee the development of songwriter and artist relationships, Centricity’s catalog, and sync opportunities.

Before joining Centricity Segura did stints at Capitol CMG Publishing, Word Music Publishing and his own company, Meld Music. He has guided the careers of artists King & Country, Matthew West, Chris Tomlin, and many others.

“To have someone with Chad’s experience and qualifications join the Centricity team is humbling,” says Steve Ford, GM of Centricity Music. “Chad has spent his career serving artists and writers who are making an impact for Christ. When Chad and I had our early conversations about joining the team it felt like he was the perfect fit for our culture.”

Chad Segura

Chad Segura

Parallel Music Publishing Re-Signs Songwriter Lance Carpenter

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Back Row L-R: Austen Adams, Dickinson Wright PLLC; Denise Stevens, Partner, Loeb & Loeb, LLP; Seated L-R: Hannah Showmaker, Parallel Music Publishing; Lance Carpenter; Tim Hunze, Parallel Music Publishing.

(L-R) back row: Austen Adams, Dickinson Wright PLLC; Denise Stevens, Partner, Loeb & Loeb, LLP; Seated: Hannah Showmaker, Parallel Music Publishing; Lance Carpenter; Tim Hunze, Parallel Music Publishing.

Hit songwriter Lance Carpenter has re-signed an exclusive global publishing agreement with Parallel Music Publishing.

“I am so blessed to be able to to continue my music journey with Parallel Entertainment,” says Carpenter. “Before moving to town in 2011, a good friend said ‘Buddro when you move to Nashville you’ll meet a lot family you never knew you had’ and it truly feels like a family at Parallel. To have a home on music row with a publisher like Tim Hunze and his team is just incredible.”

Carpenter moved to Nashville in 2011 and in 18 short months signed his first publishing deal and secured two major cuts. He co-wrote Kelsea Ballerini’s recent No. 1 song, “Love Me Like You Mean It.”

“Lance is one of the hardest working writers I know, but above that he is simply a great human being,” says Hunze, Parallel Music Publishing, partner. “Lance will have a long and very successful career and we are excited to be a part of it.”

Round Hill Announces New Staffers, Promotion

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Kari Smith.

Kari Smith

Round Hill Music has announced new hires and promotions for its Nashville offices.

The New York-based publishing company has promoted Kari Smith from Director to Senior Director, A&R. Her new duties will focus on continuing to expand the company’s A&R efforts in Nashville in the pop, rock, and country areas.

The company’s Director, Creative and Licensing Steve Nalbert has relocated to Nashville where he will continue to manage Round Hill’s licensing process. Nalbert will take on additional responsibilities, including more involvement in the pitching of the company’s song catalog to synchronization clients. He reports to Mallory Zumbach, Sr. Director in the company’s New York office.

New hires include Kevin Thompson as Manager, Licensing; Steven McMillan as Manager, Royalty Services; and Bob Squance as Sr. Coordinator, A&R Administration. Thompson brings experience from Sony/ATV Los Angeles’s Film & TV department before he relocated to that publisher’s Nashville offices. Thompson now reports to Nalbert. McMillan joins from Big Loud Bucks after spending time at Ten Ten Music Group. At Round Hill he reports to Britnie Stingelin, Director, Royalty Services. Squance brings experience from Ten Ten Music and Big Yellow Dog, and reports to Brown.

Round Hill Music was founded by Josh Gruss in 2010 in partnership with Richard Rowe and Neil Gillis. It has signed exclusive publishing deals and joint partnerships with a number of established music companies including Big Loud Shirt Industries, Big Loud Bucks and also provides a high level of service to songwriters and producers including singer/songwriter Wade Kirby (Blake Shelton, Jason Aldean, George Strait).

Pictured (L-R): Bob Squance (Sr. Coordinator, A&R Administration), Steven McMillan (Manager, Royalty Services), Steve Nalbert (Director, Creative and Licensing), Kevin Thompson (Manager, Licensing).

Pictured (L-R): Bob Squance (Sr. Coordinator, A&R Administration), Steven McMillan (Manager, Royalty Services), Steve Nalbert (Director, Creative and Licensing), Kevin Thompson (Manager, Licensing)

Neon Cross and Warner/Chappell Sign Devin Dawson

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Neon Cross Music and Warner/Chappell Music have signed a worldwide co-publishing agreement with singer/songwriter Devin Dawson.

Dawson and fellow Belmont University student Louisa Wendorff are known for their mashup of Taylor Swift’s “Blank Space” and “Style” which became a viral sensation. To date it has garnered more than 25 million views on YouTube. Dawson spoke to MusicRow about that project in December.

He is pursuing a Songwriting and Music Business degree at Belmont and is currently recording his debut EP.

Pictured: Phil May (WC), Ben Vaughn (WC), Devin Dawson, Melissa Spillman (Neon Cross), Brittany Shafer (Loeb & Loeb), Travis Carter (WC)

Pictured (L-R): Phil May (WC), Ben Vaughn (WC), Devin Dawson, Melissa Spillman (Neon Cross), Brittany Shafer (Loeb & Loeb), Travis Carter (WC)

Jay Allen Signs With MV2

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Pictured: (L-R) Clay Myers, Tony Harrell, Jay Allen and James Archer/ CEO, MV2 Entertainment photo credit- MV2 Entertainment Jay Allen

Pictured (L-R): Clay Myers, Tony Harrell, Jay Allen and James Archer/ CEO, MV2 Entertainment

Singer/songwriter Jay Allen has inked an exclusive publishing deal with MV2, the publishing and artist development company formed by Tony Harrell, James Archer, and Clay Myers.

“I am both honored and excited to be working with Jay,” said Harrell. “He is an exceptional artist with an undeniable voice and presence that is truly captivating.”

Allen hails from Cedar Falls, Iowa. He moved to Nashville in 2013.

“When I first walked into MV2, it was a new venture and the place was empty…no furniture, only a card table and a few folding chairs,” shared Allen. “Tony and Clay greeted me at the door with a firm handshake, we spoke for an hour or so, and I knew I had found my home. Seems like I’ve been through hell and back to get here, but I can’t help but feel blessed. James, Tony, Clay, Kendra, and the entire MV2 team are the most authentic, hardest working, faith-driven people I’ve ever met, and I’m proud to call them my family.”

Also on board at MV2 are the executive team of Blake Gage and Harold Johnson. 

Harrell and Myers can be reached at 615-320-0036, or tony_harrell@mv2entertainment.com and clay_myers@mv2entertainment.com.

UMPG Upgrades Online Portal Features

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Universal_Music_Publishing_logoUniversal Music Publishing Group has enhanced its online royalty account portal, RoyaltyWindow.com, so that account holders can now see balance updates as royalties are being processed during the royalty period. The company is also offering a new “one-click advance” service that gives writers the ability to request an advance against their incoming royalties without an extra fee.

“Because of our industry-leading technology we’re able to continually develop new features and services that meet the needs of our songwriters. Universal Music Publishing Group continues to be at the forefront in offering the very best system and global copyright administration worldwide,” said Jody Gerson, Chairman/CEO of Universal Music Publishing Group.

UMPG was the first major publisher worldwide to provide online accounting for its writers, including 24/7 online access to royalty statements, payment information, royalty data, and a suite of analysis tools and personalized income tracking services.

Combustion Atlas Publishing Signs Paul Moak

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Pictured (L-R): Lani Crump (Showdown Management), Paul Moak, Chris Farren (Combustion Music owner/President), Dave Steunebrink (Showdown Management), Kenley Flynn (Creative Director, Combustion Music).

Pictured (L-R): Lani Crump (Showdown Management), Paul Moak, Chris Farren (Combustion Music owner/President), Dave Steunebrink (Showdown Management), Kenley Flynn (Creative Dir., Combustion Music)

Grammy-nomintated, ASCAP award winning producer, engineer, mixer, songwriter, and musician Paul Moak has signed a worldwide publishing agreement with independent publishing venture, Combustion Atlas.

“Paul is giant talent,” said Chris Farren, Combustion Music owner/President. “Not only is he an incredible songwriter, but one of the most organic and innovative producers in town who makes records that sound like none else. We could not be more excited about helping propel him to the next level.”

Based in Nashville, Moak has amassed credits on more than 500 albums exceeding total sales of 10 million, across a variety of genres, with an impressive roster of artists that includes: Joy Williams, Mat Kearney, John Paul White, Marc Broussard, Relient K, The Vespers, Leagues, Madi Diaz, House of Heroes, Matt Maher, and Goodbye June.

Moak’s work has been featured on hit TV shows One Tree Hill, Private Practice, Pretty Little Liars, The Vampire Diaries and 666 Park Avenue as well as commercials for Bose, American Family Insurance, and Taco Bell.

Moak also established The Smoakstack Studio located in Nashville which he owns and operates.

NSAI Opens Ballot for ’10 Songs I Wish I’d Written,’ ‘Song of The Year’

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nsaiOnline voting has begun for professional songwriter members of the Nashville Songwriter Association International‘s (NSAI) for 10 Songs I Wish I’d Written award, with the top voted song to receive its Song of The Year title for 2015.

The 2015 ballot will be sent from the organization to eligible members through July 31, featuring Nashville-associated songs from several categories: Country, Pop, Christian, Rock and Alternative. Ballot-eligible singles must have entered the Top 20 on Billboard Airplay of their respective charts between July 1, 2014, and June 30, 2015, and must not have been awarded during the previous year’s ceremony.

Awards will be distributed during the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame ceremony on October 11, honoring recently announced talent including Rosanne Cash, Mark James, Even Stevens and Craig Wiseman.

During the event, NSAI will also recognize it’s Songwriter-Artist of the Year, and Songwriter of the Year.

Round Up: BMI, Metro Arts, Chorus Auditions, Belmont

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BMI Welcomes Singer-Songwriter Lindsey Ray

Broadcast Music, Inc. is proud to welcome Lindsey Ray, who signed with the company July 13. Lindsey is an artist and songwriter whose music has been licensed worldwide to film and TV since 2008. Her songs have been heard on TV shows on major networks such as NBC, ABC, CBS, ABC Family, USA, Lifetime, E!, MTV, and Showtime, as well as commercials for brands such as Target, JC Penney, T-Mobile, Applebee’s, McDonald’s, Yoplait and Kohl’s.

She also found success in writing for other artists, beginning in 2011 when her song “In Real Life” was included on Demi Lovato’s Unbroken. In 2013, Lindsey co-write “Almost Home,” the end title song in Disney’s blockbuster film Oz: The Great and Powerful, recorded by megastar Mariah Carey.

Lindsey currently resides in Nashville, TN and balances writing music for herself and her bands FARMDALE and Mary Jane Fonda, as well as continuing to write for and with a variety of artists/bands.

Pictured (L-R): BMI’s Clay Bradley, BMI singer-songwriter Lindsey Ray and BMI’s Penny Gattis.

Pictured (L-R): BMI’s Clay Bradley, BMI singer-songwriter Lindsey Ray and BMI’s Penny Gattis.

Calling All Songwriters

The Metro Nashville Arts Commission (Metro Arts) seeks to commission writers, poets, authors, songwriters, musicians or sound artists to compose a new and original work inspired by a public artwork. The initiative is supported by the Bonnaroo Works Fund of the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee.

Details here.

Belmont Teams With AIMP For Survey

The Association of Independent Music Publishers is currently exploring the needs and vision of the independent music publishing community regarding recent recommendations by the Copyright Office to update US Copyright Law and the possible restructuring of the PRO Consent Decrees by the Department of Justice.

Belmont University’s Pipeline Project 5.0 team is working with AIMP to gather the opinions of independent music publishers and songwriters in order to provide a voice for them and a smooth transition into new systems that may be created subsequent to any changes in these areas. Participate in the survey.

Nashville Symphony Chorus Auditions

The Nashville Symphony Chorus will hold its next round of auditions in August for singers interested in joining the ensemble.

Auditions will be held at Schermerhorn Symphony Center on Aug. 1 from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. and Aug. 2 from 1-4 p.m. under the direction of Chorus director Kelly Corcoran. Details here.