Still Working Music and BMG Chrysalis Nashville Sign Alana Springsteen

Still Working Music and BMG Chrysalis Nashville have partnered to sign 14-year-old singer-songwriter Alana Springsteen to a worldwide publishing agreement. She has been making trips to Nashville since she was ten, and she and her family have recently relocated to Nashville from Virginia Beach, Virginia to pursue her music career.

“Alana’s grace, skill, and ‘sky-is-the-limit’ potential made this signing one of the easiest decisions we’ve made at Still Working,” said Still Working Pres. Alex Orbison. “Her room presence and maturity are way beyond her young years—nothing but great things ahead. Welcome Alana!”

“Natural born songwriters are not as common in town as one might think, Alana is one,” added BMG Chrysalis EVP, Kos Weaver. “I am thrilled that we get to work alongside our friends at Still Working with this promising writer/artist.”

Still Working Music currently represents writers Tommy Lee James, Terry McBride, Matt Nolen, Red Bow’s Chase Bryant, Ryan Lafferty, Skip Black and Derrick Southerland, and is proud to partner with BMG Chrysalis.

 Old Gringo/Dis Keef Music Sign Zach Lockwood

Old Gringo/Dis Keef Music has signed songwriter Zach Lockwood to an exclusive worldwide publishing agreement. The 26-year-old has been involved in music his entire life. As a writer and performer since his teens, the Connecticut native moved to Nashville three years ago and has been working and writing with some of Music City’s brightest talent.

Lockwood said, “Being able to write a song and have people be moved by it in some way is just the best feeling ever. I love being able to do what I do with friends and people who believe in me.”

Old Gringo President Chris Hunter commented, “It is such a pleasure to be able to work with a kid like Zach. He’s extremely talented as a writer and a player with a strong work ethic and desire to succeed. Music is his being and he continues to impress us on a daily basis.”

Dis Keef President Kenneth Wright added, “Zach is a good guy and always brings something to the table. That counts with us.”

Nashville’s The Pour House was a packed house yesterday (June 3), as BMI and ASCAP co-hosted a No. 1 celebration for the song “Drinking Class,” performed by Lee Brice.

The song was penned by BMI songwriters David Frazier and Ed Hill, and ASCAP songwriter Josh Kear. After writing together for 15 years, it is their first shared No. 1. It was noted that this is Frazier’s first overall No. 1, so BMI’s Bradley Collins presented him with a BMI guitar to commemorate the milestone.

“Drinking Class” marks Brice’s fifth No. 1 as an artist. He also produced the song along with Kyle Jacobs and Matt McClure.

During the celebration, Big Yellow Dog’s Danni O’Neill and Amylase’s Whit Jeffords offered their congratulations, as did representatives from the CMA and CRB.

Curb Records founder Mike Curb spoke on behalf of his label. “In all my years in this business, I’ve never met someone that is the real deal more than Lee Brice,” said Curb.

Ron Cox of Avenue Bank announced a donation on behalf of the songwriters to The Nashville Rescue Mission.

Ed Hill has been in the music scene since the 1970s and was the 2006 BMI Songwriter of the Year. “I don’t take one second for granted,” said Hill. “I’m very proud to be a part of this record.”

David Frazier made sure he thanked everyone that supported him throughout his career. “I’m a late bloomer, but I’m thankful to be celebrating my first No. 1.”

ASCAP’s Mike Sistad took to the stage to salute Josh Kear. Sistad said that “Drinking Class” marks the eleventh No. 1 song for Kear, who was the 2013 ASCAP Songwriter of the Year and is a 4-time Grammy winner. As Kear spoke, he made a point to thank the record label. “To the Curb promotion staff. Thank you, thank you, thank you.”

Lee Brice takes pride in being a songwriter, but also gave credit to the songwriting community for their efforts. “It all starts with a song. And as a songwriter, I know what it takes to get up every day and go to work. To the writers of this song, thank you.” Lee continued, “To the producers, thank you for all the time you put it into this project.”

Writer’s Den Retreat

Writer’s Den Music Group hosted a songwriters retreat at Bell Bottom Farms in Cedar Hill, Tenn. where their songwriters collaborated with writers from Warner/Chappell, Neon Cross, Starstruck, UMPG and Black River.

Big Star Adds Leslie Mitchell

Leslie Mitchell has been retained by Big Star Recordings to provide A&R services for the company. Mitchell will actively work with writers and publishers to find songs and arrange co-writes for Big Star’s roster which includes George Canyon, Emerson Drive, Aaron Pritchett, Cory Marquardt, Jordan McIntosh, King & Cash, and Beamer Wigley.

Big Star Recordings is an artist services division of the Invictus Entertainment Group. Jim Cressman is President of Invictus Entertainment and Louis O’Reilly is VP of Invictus Management and Big Star. Mitchell can be reached at music@iegroup.ca or 615-636-2351.

IEBA Scholarships

The IEBA (International Entertainment Buyers Association) has awarded $15,000 in scholarships to ten students interning in the entertainment business this summer as part of its Summer Internship Scholarship program. Each student received an individual scholarship of $1,500, and scholarships were given to students from nine universities interning in five states across the country. They are interning at offices including AC Entertainment, Live Nation, Common Ground Music Festival, Artist Group International, IMP Productions, and The Bowery Presents.

Creative Workspace

Austin Evans has opened The Workshop, a 24-hour workspace for songwriters at 1303 16th Ave. in Nashville. Members pay a monthly fee and can access the rooms whenever they need to, day or night. Details at 615-933-1337 or facebook.com.

Voice Clinic For Kids

Christy Sutherland, associate vocal coach for Renee Grant-Williams Voice Studio, will lead a “Summer Kids’ Voice Clinic.” The workshop for young singers and songwriters will be July 25 at her studio in Ashland City, Tenn. The clinic is geared specifically for children ages 8-12 and is tailored to the individual needs of each of the six young attendees. Details here or by calling 615-244-3280.

Field Trip—Jeremy Stover, Justin Weaver Hitch Ride On ole Bus

ole songwriter Jeremy Stover along with Justin Weaver caught up with Dustin Lynch on the road recently to write as they traveled to shows at the Power Plant Live in Baltimore, MD the Clarksburg Amphitheater in Clarksburg, WV, and the Blue Ridge Music Festival in Salem, VA.

Regions Bank and Haynes Galleries Help Courageous Kids

Regions Bank’s Lisa Harless and Haynes Galleries recently hosted a “Friend-Raiser” for the Center for Courageous Kids in Scottsville, KY. CCK is a free medical camp for kids with chronic or terminal illnesses and serves many families throughout the southeast. Les Kerr and Dan Modlin, Cowboy Dan Harrell, and Lynn Marie Rink performed at the event. 

Jessa Inks Management Deal With Global Eyes

Global Eyes Entertainment has signed artist/songwriter Jessa to an exclusive artist management agreement. Jessa has written songs with Steve Williams, Will Nance, Nick Sturms, Rob Crosby, James Dean Hicks, Bruce Wallace, Thom Schuyler, Janey Street and more.