Panattoni Development Awarded $13.9 million Permit For New SESAC Headquarters Building

A $13.9 million permit has been issued to Panattoni Development, to finish the 95,000-square-foot building that will house the new headquarters for performing rights organization SESAC. According to the Nashville Post, Alston Construction is building the five story structure and adjacent parking garage, which is located at 35 Music Sq. E.

Also of note: The crane that is being used on the site is limited to 137 feet in height, and has to be dismantled by Oct. 1.

Kickstarter Campaign Started for Guy Clark Documentary

Guy Clark Old Friends Reunion on Nov. 6, 2014. Front row: Robert Earl Keen, Ramblin’ Jack Elliott, Guy Clark and Maude the dog. Back row: Steve Earle, Jerry Jeff Walker, Rodney Crowell, Joe Ely and Terry Allen.

A documentary on singer-songwriter Guy Clark is one step closer to fruition, thanks to the donations of friends, fans, and colleagues. A Kickstarter campaign has been created for the documentary Without Getting Killed or Caught: The Life and Music of Guy Clark, a documentary focusing on Clark’s life and career. Clark’s former publicist Tamara Saviano is set to oversee the project.

Saviano has spent the past seven years working on Clark’s biography, which is scheduled to be published in time for Guy’s 75th birthday on Nov. 6, 2016.

The documentary Without Getting Killed or Caught includes exclusive interview footage with Clark and his friends and family. The film integrates audio and video footage from personal interviews, one-of-a-kind photos and images from Clark’s private collection, and unique historical footage. He learned to play guitar from his father’s law partner, worked for the shrimp boat builders in the harbor, read poetry, and was awarded a National Science Foundation grant for summer study at M.D. Anderson Hospital.

There are 30 days left in the campaign, which aims to raise $75,000 for the project.

For more information on the Kickstarter campaign, visit kickstarter.com.

Green Hills Music Group, Grin Like A Dog Songs To Showcase Artists at Bluebird Cafe

Green Hills Music Group and Grin Like A Dog Songs will present several of their singer-songwriters in a writers round at Nashville’s Bluebird Cafe on Wednesday, April 22, beginning at 6 p.m.

The lineup includes Danika Portz, Steve Mitchell, Rich Karg, and Hannah Mulholland.

L-R (Front): Brad Warren (Co-Writer), Lance Miller, Brett Warren (Co-Writer) L-R (Back): BJ Hill (W/C), Travis Carter (W/C), Phil May (W/C), Blain Rhodes (W/C), Scott Safford (Attorney), Matt Michiels (W/C)

Warner/Chappell Music has signed hit songwriter and SESAC Song of the Year winner Lance Miller to a worldwide co-publishing agreement.

Miller’s accolades include 2014 SESAC Song Of The Year presented at last year’s SESAC Nashville Music Awards for his co-write on Jerrod Niemann’s “Drink To That All Night.”

He also has writing credits on Lee Brice’s “Beautiful Every Time” and Thomas Rhett’s “Beer With Jesus.”

Razor & Tie Celebrates New SoBro Location

Razor & Tie recently celebrated a kick-off party in Nashville, Tenn., for the company’s new space in SoBro. The space, located at 511 Eighth Ave. S., will house Razor & Tie’s music publishing division. The new location will serve as a “hub” for artists, songwriters, and producers to collaborate, and includes recording studios, writer and listening rooms, rehearsal space, and a performance area.

Razor & Tie co-owners Cliff Chenfeld and Craig Balsam explain, “We are excited to develop a new space in a hot new area of Nashville where we can continue to provide our writers and artists with the right “vibes” to create great music.”

Chris Parham (mayor’s office) , Craig Balsam (Co-Owner Razor & Tie), Mayor Karl Dean, and Cliff Chenfeld (Co-Owner Razor & Tie) celebrate the grand opening of Razor & Tie’s new building in Nashville, Tenn.

SOLID Raises Over $25,000 To Support Big Brothers Big Sisters

SOLID (Society of Leaders in Development) recently hosted the fifth annual Music Row Madness in support of Big Brothers Big Sisters Bowl For Kids’ Sake at AMF Pla Mor Lanes. The organization landed on raising a final amount of $25,358, totaling more than $120,000 in contributions during the five-year partnership. Over 20 teams were represented with sponsorships from Fifth Third Bank, Creative Artist Agency, Steven Durr Designs, Events by Janie, Jewell Roofing, Marbaloo and Clearbox Rights. There were more than 100 participants with prizes awarded throughout the evening with the Top Team Fundraiser being CAA’s I Can’t Believe It’s Not Gutter.

Emma Tur of Warner Music Group and Basak Kizilisik of Morris Higham Management planned this year’s event. “Music Row Madness 2015 was such a huge success,” says Tur. “Individuals that work in Nashville’s music industry came together for a night of fun that resulted in raising over $25,000. Giving back to Nashville’s community is a foundational part of our organization, and we couldn’t be happier about the outcome. We look forward to partnering for years to come!”

SOLID celebrates its Music Row Madness event.

Pictured (L-R): Larry McCoy, Thomas Rhett, Bart Butler.

Nashville celebrated Thomas Rhett, Bart Butler and Larry McCoy’s Gold-certified No. 1 song “Make Me Wanna” recently at the upscale Peter Nappi showroom in Germantown. The clothing venue was more than appropriate, given that the music video for “Make Me Wanna” was shot there. Friends and family gathered to celebrate the hit, which marked the third consecutive chart-topper off Rhett’s debut album It Goes Like This (Valory Music Co.). The shindig was hosted by BMI and SESAC.

The success of “Make Me Wanna” notched another milestone for singer-songwriter Thomas Rhett: Rhett is the first male country artist in 20 years to earn three consecutive Billboard No. 1 songs from a debut album.

“It’s really cool that we still celebrate this stuff,” Rhett said. “Everybody is so busy, whether you are a singer, songwriter or work for a publisher. Whatever you are doing, you’re always thinking about what the next thing is. It’s really nice to hang out and celebrate for a minute.”

He also gave thanks to country radio,  to his fellow writers, to his label home Valory Music Co., to producer Jay Joyce, to his publishing home, and to wife Lauren. “She has picked my last three No. 1s,” said Rhett. “So if I put a single out that doesn’t have Lauren’s stamp of approval, it will probably die pretty quick,” he quipped.

The day was extra sweet for writers Butler and McCoy. It was announced during the celebration that Butler’s hometown of Hondo, Texas, had declared April 9 as “Bart Butler Day.” Meanwhile, McCoy had been working in construction while forging a songwriting career. He remarked that with this No. 1 single, he relished that he can now “lay his hammer down” and focus entirely on songwriting.

Additional accolades were offered throughout the event by the CMA, CRS, and Avenue Bank.

(Back row, L-R): George Briner (Valory Music Co.), Leslie Roberts (BMI), Tim Fink (SESAC), Bill Butler (Bill Butler Music), Tom Luteran (Sony/ATV).
(Front row, L-R): Larry McCoy, Thomas Rhett, Bart Butler.

Sea Gayle Music has signed Danville, Ky., native and songwriter Smith Ahnquist. Ahnquist moved to Nashville in 2006 to attend Belmont University, and earned his Bachelor’s degree in Music Business in 2009.

Ahnquist said, “I have such a respect for Sea Gayle and their commitment to songwriters. It’s humbling to be a part of such a creatively driven group of people.”

“Smith is such a talented songwriter. From his work ethic to his fresh ideas and instincts, he is a tremendous addition to the Sea Gayle songwriting team,” says Sea Gayle Executive VP/GM, Marc Driskill.

Pictured (L-R) at Paisley’s Ye Olde Potion Room Pub: Jake Gear, Sea Gayle Creative Director; Chris DuBois, Sea Gayle Partner; Brad Paisley, Sea Gayle Partner; Ahnquist, Driskill, Freeman Wizer, Sea Gayle VP Creative; and Brandon Gregg, Sea Gayle Office Manager.