Publishing Archives - Page 129 of 263

Industry Signings: BMI, Demolition Music Publishing, SB21

April 1, 2015/by Jessica Nicholson

Circle S Records artist SaraBeth has signed with performing rights organization BMI.

SaraBeth recently finished recording her new, self-titled EP, which will be released on April 14. She co-wrote all the songs on the project, including the new single “I’m Sick of It.”

Pictured (seated, L-R): SaraBeth, and BMI’s Senior Director, Writer-Publisher Relations Bradley Collins.
Standing: Verge Management’s Nancy Eckert

• • •

Demolition Music Publishing and SB21 have announced a joint venture signing of Nashville guitarist and songwriter, Phil Roselle.

“Signing Phil was a no brainer,” says Demolition Music Publishing’s President Jon D’Agostino. “He’s an incredibly gifted guitar player with veteran lyric sensibilities and a spirit that shines brighter than any other in the room, He’s also written with and played with some of the best in the business. We’re looking forward to getting him into the mix and chemistry of our team to write some hits.”

Pictured (L-R): Jon D’Agostino, DMP President; Phil Roselle; Steve Pasch, SB21

Seidle Named Centricity Music CEO

April 1, 2015/by Jessica Nicholson

Caren Seidle has been named as CEO of Centricity Music, Centricity Publishing, and the artist management division Eaglemont Entertainment. Centricity Music is a Franklin, Tenn.-based company founded in 2005 and home to CCM artists including Aaron Shust, Jonny Diaz, Jason Gray, Andrew Peterson, and more.

Seidle has served as General Manager since 2005. After 15 years with a financial institution, Seidle joined Centricity’s parent company, Acorn Ventures. Seidle is CFO and COO at Acorn.

Additionally, Steve Ford has been promoted to General Manager. Ford began with Centricity in 2006, and has held the VP, Marketing role for the past nine years. Ford is an industry veteran who began his career in 1978, and has worked at Sparrow Records (A&R), Myrrh Records (VP, Marketing), and Inpop Records (VP/General Manager).

“It fills me with such pride and joy at how amazing these past 10 years have been for Centricity, and the excitement that is building for the next ten years,” says Seidle. “With the ever-changing dynamics in our business, the head of Centricity must be a great leader who knows the challenges of today’s music industry and at the same time understands consumer behavior. There is no question Steve is a perfect fit for this position, with his remarkable industry knowledge and excellence at developing strong and trusting relationships with the artists, staff, industry, and third parties. Centricity is looking forward to a very successful future with these leadership changes.”

“I am humbled by the responsibility entrusted to me and excited about the opportunity of leading the team at Centricity Music,” states Ford. “Caren has assembled an amazing leadership team for the label, publishing and management divisions, and I look forward to the continued growth with each of them.”

UMPG Snags Indie Breakout Artist Justin Adams

March 30, 2015/by Eric T. Parker

Pictured (L-R) back: Travis Gordon, UMPG Creative Director; Ron Stuve, UMPG VP A&R; and Kent Earls, EVP/GM, UMPG. Front: Cyndi Forman, UMPG VP, Creative; Adams; Missy Wilson, UMPG Sr. Creative Director; and Scott Safford, attorney.

Universal Music Publishing Group (UMPG) Nashville has signed budding artist/songwriter Justin Adams to an exclusive publishing agreement.

Adams’ 2013 self-titled independent EP featured co-written songs with established writers including Kent Blazy and Karyn Rochelle. Adams has reached No. 4 on the iTunes Country Music Albums chart, No. 36 on the Billboard Heatseekers chart and No. 59 on the Billboard Country Albums.

MusicRow‘s Robert K. Oermann gave the Oklahoma native and former college football player’s “Miss Me Whiskey” the DISCovery award in August 2013, noting: “He hooked me from the well-written opening lines. This is a real piece of songwriting craftsmanship, and fact that he sings it with so much force makes it that much more involving. An artist who has all the ammo he needs for stardom. And I loved the haunting instrumental coda.”

“Justin is one of the hardest working, extremely focused and brightest artists that we’ve had the fortune to sign. We look forward to helping Justin take his artistry and music to the next level,” said Kent Earls, Executive Vice President/General Manager.

“UMPG is one big family and I couldn’t be more excited to be working with Kent, Missy, and the rest of the amazing team there,” said Adams.

In the wake of his writing success Adams has been balancing a busy tour schedule, sharing the stage with Trace Adkins, Joe Nichols, Craig Morgan, Dustin Lynch, Eli Young Band, David Nail, Love and Theft, Easton Corbin, Eric Paslay and Charlie Worsham.

Industry Ink: Southern Crossroads Music, Maggie Rose

March 25, 2015/by Eric T. Parker

Southern Crossroads Music Signs Four New Artist/Writers

New signees to Southern Crossroads include Nashville-based Boo Ray and Allen Thompson. From the UK, Southern Crossroads has signed Max Milligan and new Liverpool-based singer/songwriter, Lauren Davenport.

Milligan will work on production projects with the Southern Crossroads artists, while also writing spots for advertising and film/TV. Ray, Thompson and Davenport are currently working on new material to be released later this year.

“Both Boo Ray and Allen Thompson bring an excellent back catalog into Southern Crossroads and we are looking forward to developing exploitation opportunities for their material moving forward,” said Southern Crossroads Music’s Liam McMellon.

The additions join a current roster of Annie Bosko and Don Gallardo.

Maggie Rose, Play It Again Music Publishing’s Austin Marshall Engaged

Maggie Rose proposed to by Austin Marshall. Photo: Facebook

Maggie Rose, a new Play It Again Music Publishing signee, became engaged to Play It Again Music Publishing‘s EVP Austin Marshall after he popped the question on March 21 at Maryland’s Bethesda Blues and Jazz Supper Club. Rose usually sings “River Road” with her bass player Tim Braisted. Rose recalls of the proposal:

“Right after I introduced [Tim], he stepped away from the mic and to my surprise Austin walked on stage and began singing with me. After the song was over he whispered something to me and got down on bended knee and asked me to marry him. I said yes, of course. I couldn’t have imagined a more beautiful moment and sharing it with everyone was such a blessing. My whole band was in on it. My sisters and parents were there ready to capture the moment and I was overwhelmed with love. Austin knows I live on stage and carefully chose a time and place that we’ll remember forever.”

HoriPro Signs Songwriter/Vocalist Wes Hightower

March 25, 2015/by Jessica Nicholson

Pictured (L-R): Robin Gordon (Gordon Law Group), Bradley Collins (BMI), Lee Krabel (HoriPro), Butch Baker (HoriPro), Wes Hightower, David Preston (BMI), Courtney Crist (HoriPro), Tim Stehli (BMI), Chris Skinner (Gordon Law Group)

HoriPro has signed 12-time MusicRow All-Star Musician Awards Vocalist of the Year Wes Hightower to a publishing deal.

“We are so happy to welcome Wes back to our family. Some of my favorite songs in our catalog are Wes Hightower songs. And he is one of the most heard voices on projects today,” the company said in a statement.

Hightower, a Texas native, has long been one of Nashville’s most in-demand background vocalists. He has sung on more than 150 million records sold worldwide.

In recent years, Hightower has turned his focus more toward songwriting, with songs recorded by Gary Allan, Montgomery Gentry, Gene Watson, and Sammy Kershaw, among others.

Bobby Karl Works The Tin Pan South Preview Party

March 24, 2015/by Bobby Karl

Chapter 484

Pictured (L-R): Bart Herbison, NSAI; Lisa Harless, Regions Bank, songwriter Bobby Tomberlin. Photo: Moments By Moser

Perhaps the most underrated party of the year is the one that annually kicks off the Tin Pan South festival.

Those of you who do not attend are missing one of Music Row’s great “hangs.” This soiree has it all. The bar isn’t crowded. The drinks are free. The food is super. The guest list is full of songwriters. What’s not to love?

It also gets points for being a world-class schmoozefest. Because it isn’t overly crowded, Bobby Karl can really work this room.

This year’s Tin Pan South launch party took place in the Regions Bank lobby at the Roundabout on Monday evening (March 23).

Jimbeau Hinson, James Dean Hicks, new pop showcaser Lara Johnston, Rich Fagan, Harry Stinson, Matt Warren, Steve Bogard and country newcomers Brit Willson and Mignon Grabois were among the music makers partaking of all the gratis goodies.

TPS Danielle Peck; songwriters Greg Friia and Joie Scott

Pictured (L-R): Danielle Peck; songwriters Greg Friia and Joie Scott. Photos: Moments By Moser

Larry Weiss reports that he is working on a “Rhinestone Cowboy” musical. Nashville Opera CEO John Hoomes was thrilled to be mingling with hit writers. Veteran hunk Bernie Nelson is en route to Ireland, where his Blue CD is getting mucho airplay. “Wait until they find out I don’t have a 32-inch waist,” he quipped.

Marc-Alan Barnette is performing with Jimbeau Hinson, Paul Jefferson and Lisa Brokop billed as “a trip down memory lane.” “It’s rough when you’re now the veteran,” he moaned.

“I hate it when they start calling you ‘Mister,’” I commiserated.

Ole honchos John Ozier and Randall Foster were celebrating their publishing company’s ongoing expansion. Dave Pacula was eager for the conventioneers to see and hear his Black River artist Kelsea Ballerini.

John Briggs, Wayne Halper, Tammy Ragusa, Scott Johnson, Kira Florita Hilley, Craig Campbell, Doak Turner, Sherrill Blackmon, Writer’s Den Music’s Bobby Rymer, Chuck Whiting, Jerry Crutchfield, Preshus Tomes, Hank Adam Locklin, Randy Perkins, Kate Richardson, Blake Chancey, D. Brett Holladay, Brad Peterson, Roger Nichols, Vernell Hackett and Butch Baker were working the room like the pros they are.

Pictured (L-R): Erika Wollam Nichols, NSAI; Steve Bogard; Beverly Bogard; Karen Turley, NSAI Liverpool exchange writer. Photos: Moments By Moser

“I just want to be known as a ‘fabulon,’” said Chris Keaton. “That’s my life’s ambition.” Consider it done.

The cocktail supper was catered by Maggiano’s Little Italy, and you can’t quibble with that. Chicken pesto sliders, cucumber slices with herb cheese, tomato caprese skewers, pulled pork sliders, miniature meatballs (“miniature” being relative, since this was plus-portioned Maggiano’s), veggie slices and artesan cheeses were on hand, as was a dessert station of cookies, gelato and other delights.

Host Lisa Harless glided through, catching admiring glances with her mix of silver-and-turquoise jewelry and snug designer jeans. The NSAI’s Bart Herbison, Erika Wollam-Nichols and Jennifer Turnbow greeted one and all.

Pictured (L-R): Tin Pan South sponsor Peter Nesbitt of Matchless Transportation on a Regions cruiser bike. Photos: Moments By Moser

They are justfiably proud of their week of stunning songwriter events. Not only is this party a bona fide bonanza, the whole Tin Pan South fest is. The clubs participating are B.B. King’s, the Blue Bar, the Bluebird Café, the Commodore Grill, Douglas Corner, the Hard Rock, the Listening Room, the Station Inn, the Sutler and 3rd & Lindsley. Among the more than 350 (!) folks you can catch in these 10 Music City clubs on Tuesday through Saturday are Gordon Kennedy, Chuck Wicks, Jeff Stevens, Karen Staley, Michael Martin Murphey, Alan Rhody, Kim Williams, Beth Nielsen Chapman, Kye Fleming, John Oates, Victoria Shaw, Lori McKenna, Hugh Prestwood, Even Stevens, Gary Burr, Georgia Middleman, Don Henry, Gabe Dixon, Benita Hill, Colin Linden, Mark D. Sanders, Rob Crosby and Allen Shamblin.

Plus Gary Morris, Linda Davis, Lang Scott, Rebeca Lynn Howard, Will Hoge, Angaleena Presley, Lance Miller, RaeLynn, Josh Leo, Stephanie Bentley, James Otto, Tony Lane, Jessi Alexander, Barry Dean, Paul Overstreet, Ray Scott, Jeannie Seely, Leslie Satcher, John Scott Sherrill, Ella Mae Bowen, Lee Roy Parnell, Mac Davis, Larry Gatlin, Billy Montana, Kevin Kadish, Roger Cook, Brandy Clark, Charlie Worsham, Bill Anderson and Shane McAnally.

Be there or be square.

Matthew West, Ben Glover, David Garcia Take Home ASCAP Christian Honors

March 24, 2015/by Jessica Nicholson

Co-Songwriters of the Year David Garcia (L) and Ben Glover (R) with ASCAP Chairman of the Board and President Paul Williams. Photo: Ed Rode

The ASCAP Christian Music Awards recognized a star-studded lineup of artists, publishers, and songwriters last night (March 23) at The Franklin Theatre in Franklin, Tenn.

ASCAP Nashville’s Michael Martin, LeAnn Phelan, Kele Currier, as well as ASCAP President and Chairman Paul Williams, and EVP of Membership John Titta, were among those who honored the year’s most performed CCM songs from the PRO. Martin is also a Gospel Music Association board member.

After an emotional rendition of “The Maker” from Chris August to help kick off the evening, Williams welcomed a mix of writers, artists, and industry members. He also reiterated his belief in the fight that songwriters and PROs are making to change the restraints caused by outdated consent decrees.

“There is no reason why American songwriters are the most regulated small businessmen in the world. Applause is good but applause doesn’t feed the babies. We are fighting for all of you,” Williams said.

The evening’s attendees and participants included Francesca Battistelli, Ryan Stevenson and Love & The Outcome, who served as guest presenters, as well as ASCAP board member Desmond Child, for King & Country, Jason Gray, ASCAP board member Wayland Holyfield, Unspoken, and more.

Matthew West accepts the Christian Music Songwriter-Artist of the Year honor. Photo: Ed Rode

Matthew West, who was named ASCAP’s Christian Music Songwriter of the Year last year, earned the title of Christian Music Songwriter-Artist of the Year during last night’s festivities. This marks West’s second Songwriter-Artist of the Year honor. He also earned three ASCAP most-performed song honors, for his own single, “Do Something,” as well as for “Pushing Back the Dark” (recorded by Josh Wilson) and “Thrive” (Casting Crowns). Last year, West took home the ASCAP Christian Music Song of the Year honor for his own hit single, “Hello My Name Is.”

“I started out with a mission to reach the lost,” West told the crowd after accepting the Songwriter-Artist of the Year honor. “I’ve come full circle because I get to play each night and sometimes it is singing to the choir, but it’s a broken choir. All of these songs are speaking life and truth to a broken choir.” He recalled reading the book Letters To A Young Poet, by Rainer Maria Rilke. “The challenge in the book is an older poet talking to a younger poet, and he’s trying find out why the younger poet wants to write. The older poet tells him he writes because he is compelled to write, because life to him is not the same without it. As songwriters, we write because we must write.”

Capitol CMG was named Publisher of the Year for the the 13th consecutive year. The publishing company notched numerous hits over the past year, including nine award-winning songs, “Back to You,” “I Am,” “Speak Life,” “All The People Said Amen,” “My Heart Is Yours,” “Your Grace Finds Me,” “Holding Nothing Back,” “Greater,” and “Write Your Story.” Capitol CMG Executive Vice President Casey McGinty and his team were on hand to accept the award.

Bethel Music’s Joel Taylor and Josh Farro, writer of Song of the Year, “This Is Amazing Grace.” Photo: Ed Rode

Song of the Year went to “This Is Amazing Grace,” penned by Phil Wickham, Josh Farro and Jeremy Riddle, and performed by Phil Wickham.

Ben Glover and David Garcia tied for ASCAP Christian Music Songwriter of the Year honors. The co-writing and co-producing duo also earned ASCAP most-performed song awards for Francesca Battistelli’s “Write Your Story,” Mandisa’s “Back to You” and Mercy Me’s “Greater.” Garcia celebrated his first Songwriter of the Year Award, while Glover claimed his fourth. The two previously co-wrote and produced Mandisa’s 2013 Grammy Award-winning single “Overcomer” and have more than 30 chart-topping hits between them.

Performances during the event included acoustic renditions from songwriters Travis Ryan and Matt Hooper (“We Believe”), Josh Farro (“This Is Amazing Grace”), Ryan Stevenson (“Speak Life”), and Hillsong United’s Matt Crocker and Jad Gillies (“Oceans”).

Hillsong UNITED’s Matt Crocker and Jad Gillies perform “Oceans (Where Feet May Fail).” Photo: Ed Rode

Chris August opens the ASCAP Christian Music Awards. Photo: Ed Rode

Warner/Chappell Music Adds Singer/Songwriter David Cook To Roster

March 24, 2015/by Jessica Nicholson

Pictured, Front Row: Alicia Pruitt (WC), Michelle Young (Manager), David Cook, Travis Carter (WC), Blain Rhodes (WC). Back Row: Matt Michiels (WC), Phil May (WC), Ben Vaughn (WC), Ryan Beuschel (WC), BJ Hill (WC)

Warner/Chappell Music (WCM), the music publishing arm of Warner Music Group, has signed a worldwide co-publishing agreement with singer/songwriter David Cook. Following a successful run on the seventh season of American Idol, Cook’s self-titled, platinum-selling debut album reached No. 3 on the Billboard 200 and notched two Top 20 singles.

“I’m excited to get involved with Warner/Chappell and work with some of the best songwriters in the industry,” said Cook. “It’s an honor to be a part of the roster and I’m looking forward to furthering my songwriting career with them.”

Ben Vaughn, Executive Vice President, Warner/Chappell Music Nashville, said, “David brings so much to the table with his diversity as a songwriter and a voice that makes you stop and pay attention. We’re looking forward to supporting him as his career continues to grow.”

Cook’s second album, This Loud Morning, debuted in the top ten. In 2012, Cook relocated to Nashville, Tenn., where he is currently working on music for his new album. In addition to his own music, Cook recently co-wrote the 2014 top 20 country radio single “Kiss You Tonight,” recorded by David Nail.

ole Acquires Jingle Punks’ Production Music Library

March 23, 2015/by Jessica Nicholson

Toronto-based independent publisher ole has acquired music publishing and licensing company Jingle Punks.

Under the agreement, ole’s PML repertoire will fold into Jingle Punks, doubling Jingle Punks’ available repertoire. Jingle Punks provides original and licensed music for television, film, video games, advertisements, and more. The move creates one of the world’s largest production music libraries.

As part of the deal, Jingle Punks founders, Jared Gutstadt and Dan Demole, will oversee ole’s production music operation.

The Jingle Punks operation in Nashville, which included songwriters who also produced music for television and advertising, will fold into ole’s Nashville operation.

With the acquisition, Jingle Punks gains the ability to offer clients access to ole’s global rights management platform, while Jingle Punks achieves economies of scale. The combination opens cross-platform business development and services opportunities for both companies.

“ole looks forward to working with Jingle Punks towards a future that combines our respective strengths to great advantage and for the benefit of our clients,” says Robert Ott, CEO and Chairman of ole. “Jared and Dan are great entrepreneurial talents who have built the most exciting brand in production music history, and we look forward to increased profitability together.”

Demole says, “This is the kind of deal we’ve dreamt of since our founding in 2008: working with an independent and entrepreneurial company such as ole that, like Jingle Punks, has asserted itself as a leader in their space by aggressively breaking conventions.”

“ole’s sensibilities are keenly matched with ours. We continue to focus on the core assets and core capabilities of our business and grow, grow, grow. This is a new day for Jingle Punks and is going to not only benefit our staff and network of artists, but the wonderful clients we have been servicing for the past 7 years,” adds Gutstadt.

Industry Ink: Sony/ATV, Dickinson Wright, BMLG, My Country Nation

March 20, 2015/by Jessica Nicholson

Baby News for Austen and Abbey Adams

Abbey Adams, Creative Director at Sony/ATV Music Publishing, and Austen Adams, Of Counsel at Dickinson Wright, PLLC, welcomed second daughter Alefair Amelia Adams on March 15.

The newborn weighed 6 lbs, 6 oz., and was 19″ long. She joins big sister Adelais.

Reba, BMLG Launch Fourth Annual Outnumber Hunger Campaign

Big Machine Label Group, General Mills and Feeding America® have announced the launch of the fourth annual Outnumber Hunger campaign, which has helped secure more than 35 million meals to people facing hunger in America. REba and other BMLG artists will be featured on more than 60 million General Mills packages, including Cheerios, Pillsbury, Yoplait, and Nature Valley.

Reba will kick off the campaign with a special concert event, “Reba and Friends Outnumber Hunger,” featuring songs from her forthcoming album Love Somebody. The concert, which will also include performances from Tim McGraw, Rascal Flatts, Florida Georgia Line, Eli Young Band, and Maddie & Tae, will be broadcast on local Gannett affiliates beginning April 17. On April 18, the concert will air on CMT as well as through an exclusive radio broadcast on iHeartMedia Country stations.

“I was raised to treat others with compassion. Knowing that one in six Americans struggle with hunger means my fans and people I see every day need help,” said Reba. “The Outnumber Hunger campaign is such a simple way to help your neighbors, so how could you not? I’m so proud to lead the charge with Big Machine Label Group, General Mills and Feeding America.”

My Country Nation Announces ’46 Hours’ Programming

My Country Nation (MyCN) has announced the addition of new series, 46 Hours, which allows fans a look into the lives of country stars during some of their biggest career moments. The first installment spotlights Atlantic Records and CMA New Artist of the Year Brett Eldredge and will premiere Friday, March 20 on MyCountryNation.com.

46 Hours is a digital series of five-minute episodes that will run on MyCountryNation.com. The series involves a flexible format designed to tailor itself to the personality of the artist featured and highlight their personality and sense of humor.