Sea Gayle Promotes Jake Gear

Marc Driskill, Executive VP/GM of Sea Gayle Music has announced the promotion of Jake Gear to Creative Director.

“There is nothing more rewarding than seeing someone who possesses the skills and work ethic that Jake does earn such a promotion,” says Driskill. “Jake is one of the most talented and capable young professionals I have had the opportunity to work with and I couldn’t be happier to recognize him with this promotion.”

Sea Gayle’s writers have written 38 No. 1 songs and twice earned the company ASCAP Country Publisher of the Year honors.

Gear can be reached at [email protected] or (615) 329-1411.

DeSalvo & Levine Law Hires J.P. Urban

Nashville entertainment law firm DeSalvo & Levine PLLC has hired associate J.P. Urban. He recently received his J.D. from Vanderbilt Law School, where he was a Chancellor’s Law Scholar and the Executive Editor of the Vanderbilt Journal of Entertainment & Technology Law, as well as receiving numerous honors.

Urban’s professional experience includes interning for the judges of the Circuit Court for the 21st Judicial District of Tennessee and The Honorable William C. Koch, retired Justice of the Tennessee Supreme Court. He also worked with the Volunteer Lawyers and Professionals for the Arts and other organizations in Middle Tennessee. Urban earned his B.S. in Recording Industry at Middle Tennessee State University.

BBR Music Group Adds Shaina Botwin 

BBR Music Group has added Shaina Botwin as Digital Marketing Manager. Botwin joined BBR Music Group’s digital team part time in October 2014 and transitions to full time effective immediately. She reports directly to VP of Digital Sales & Marketing, Lynette Garbonola.

In this role, Botwin will create, manage and execute digital marketing ideas and strategies that engage online music fans and drive consumer interaction on social sites and artist websites.

Botwin’s experience includes serving as Vice President of the MTSU chapter of CMA EDU as well as internships at Music Industry Blueprint and Anchor Down Entertainment.

“I am so excited to start my journey at BBR Music Group,” says Botwin. “Between the dedication of the artists and the drive of the employees, I can’t think of a better place to be.”

“I am excited to have Shaina join the team. It takes a special talent to nurture the relationship between artist, label and fans. From our first conversation, I knew she had what it took,” adds Garbonola.

Botwin may be reached at [email protected] and at (615) 610-2135.

The Association of Independent Music Publishers has announced its national board of directors (based in Los Angeles), as well as the boards for the organization’s New York and Nashville chapters for the 2015-2016 term.

The national officers are: Michael Eames/PEN Music Group (President); Teri Nelson Carpenter/Reel Muzik Werks, LLC (Vice President); Barbie Quinn/BMI (Executive Director); David Weitzman/ole (Secretary); and Cedar Boschan/Green Hasson Janks (Treasurer).

Chapter officers in Nashville are: Marc Driskill/Sea Gayle Music (Executive Director), Denise Nichols/The Primacy Firm, LLC (Secretary) and Ree Guyer Buchanan/Wrensong (Treasurer).

Directors in Nashville are: John Allen/New West Records, Craig Currier/peermusic, Tim Fink/SESAC, Michael Martin/ ASCAP, Kim McCollum/Words & Music, John Ozier/ole and Randy Wachtler/Warner-Chappell Production Music.

New directors include Timothy A. Cohan, Esq./peermusic, Carianne Marshall/SONGS Music Publishing and Jake Wisely/The Bicycle Music Company. They join returning directors Todd Brabec, Esq./Musicandmoney.com, Linda Gallico/Realsongs, Jeff Jernigan/ASCAP, Sam Kling/SESAC, Linda A. Newmark, Esq./Universal Music Publishing Group and Susan Slamer/Sony Pictures.

Chapter officers in New York are: Caroline Bienstock/Carlin America, Inc. (Executive Director), Arthur Levy, Esq./Spirit Music Group (Secretary) and Steven White, CPA/Janover, LLC (Treasurer).

New York directors include: Philip Cialdella/Wonderlous Music, Alisa Coleman/ABKCO Music, Inc., Joyce Dollinger, Esq./ Dollinger, Gonski and Grossman, Julie Lipsius/Lipservices, Mary Beth Roberts/High Standards Unlimited, Debbie Rose/Shapiro Bernstein, & Co., Michael Simon/Harry Fox Agency, Mark Spier/Memory Lane Music Group and Richard Stumpf/Atlas Music Publishing.

 

Little Extra Music continues to expand its roster with the signing of singer/songwriter/producer Carolyn Dawn Johnson to a worldwide publishing agreement.

“I met Carolyn Dawn not long after she came to Nashville and was an instant fan,” said company president Lisa Ramsey Perkins. “She’s not only an amazing singer and songwriter, she’s one of the first women I met who produced her own records. I’ve always wanted to work with her and am thrilled she’s now a part of the Little Extra Music family!”

“I’m so happy to be working with Lisa,” said Johnson. “I’ve always admired her energy and passion for the music, the artists and the industry. She has worn many hats and brings so much to the table! I value her ears and expertise and am thankful for this partnership, as she makes me want to do better every single day, and to me, that’s how a publisher/writer relationship should be.”

Four years after moving from Vancouver, BC Canada to Nashville, Johnson scored her first hit as a songwriter when Chely Wright took “Single White Female” to the No. 1 spot. The success led to publishing deals and cuts with artists like Patty Loveless, Kathy Mattea, Pam Tillis, Suzy Bogguss, Jo Dee Messina and others. MusicRow Magazine named her “Breakthrough Songwriter of the Year” in 2000, the same year Arista Nashville signed her to a record deal.

Johnson produced her 2001 debut album titled Room With a View, which contained the Top 5 single “Complicated,” as well as singles “Georgia” and “I Don’t Want You to Go.” She went on to open tours for Reba McEntire, Alan Jackson, Kenny Chesney and Keith Urban.

The Academy of Country Music Awards crowned her Top New Female Vocalist in 2002, and the American Music Awards honored her as Favorite New Country Artist the following year. In 2004 and 2009, the Canadian Country Music Awards named Johnson Producer of the Year for her work on many Canadian-based projects. To date, she has racked up 17 CCMA’s, including the title for reigning Female Vocalist of the Year.

She has also spent time singing background vocals for Martina McBride, Miranda Lambert, and others.

“I like to say that I’ve had many bonuses to my dreams … things, people, events and accolades, in addition toand off the beaten path from my original goals,” notes Johnson. “I’ve certainly gone further then I actually imagined, but that doesn’t make me stop in my tracks. I just want to keep doing this for the rest of my life. Music truly is what makesmy world go round.”

Luke Foley has signed a worldwide publishing deal with Nashville independent publishing venture Combustion Atlas.

Foley began his music career in the spotlight as frontman of rock and roll act Farewell Flight. Now residing in Nashville, Tenn., he continues to write for and perform with Farewell Flight. In addition, he writes with an eclectic collection of writers covering a wide variety of genres, from electronic synth pop to 90’s inspired rock n roll. His song “The Places We’ll Go” was featured in CITGO’s 2013 “Fueling Good” summer ad campaign, as well as in the CW’s “Hart of Dixie.”

“Luke’s passion for and skill in writing nostalgic songs that sound familiar yet are undeniably unique are what first drew me in. Add to that his prolific work ethic and I think we have the ingredients for long-term success. We couldn’t be happier to partner with Luke and look forward to elevating him as an artist and a writer,” said Kenley Flynn, Creative Director, Combustion Music.

Combustion Atlas’ team has delivered hits for artists including Miranda Lambert, Luke Bryan, Florida Georgia Line, Carrie Underwood, Dierks Bentley, Keith Urban, and others.

In 2014, Atlas Music Publishing CEO, Richard Stumpf and Combustion Music owner/President, Chris Farren announced Atlas Music Publishing and the highly successful Combustion Music have formed a long-term joint venture under the banner Combustion Atlas.

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ASCAP has signed Sea Gayle Music songwriter-artist CJ Solar.

Just a few months ago, Baton Rouge, La., native CJ Solar started at Sea Gayle Music as an intern, suggested for the job by VP of Creative Freeman Wizer. Wizer’s colleague, VP of Creative Mike Owens, heard Solar’s tunes and immediately wanted to sign him. When EVP/GM Marc Driskill and the rest of the Sea Gayle creative team heard his music, Solar was offered a publishing deal on the spot.

“His lyrics are well beyond his years and his voice is distinctive and soulful. What a great story and an amazing talent. We are really excited about working with CJ and having him as part of the Sea Gayle roster,” commented Driskill.

Warner/Chappell Music extended a long term co-publishing agreement with hit songwriter Michael Dulaney.

A well-established Chappell songwriter, Dulaney’s latest successes include the hits “Night Train” by Jason Aldean and Joe Nichols’ “Sunny & 75.” Dulaney has earned seven total No. 1 records to date. Other recent projects include recordings with David Nail, Chase Bryant and Randy Houser, among others.