Magic Mustang Music Publishing has hired Lydia Schultz as Creative Coordinator. Schultz was previously BBR Music Group Business and Legal Affairs Associate. Schultz joined BBR Music Group in May 2013 after graduating from Belmont University with a degree in Business Administration.
Additionally, BBR Music Group hired Andrea Knipp as Business and Legal Affairs Associate. Knipp interned in the department from August 2013 through May 2014. Both roles are effective immediately.
Schultz can be reached at [email protected] and 615-610-2133. Knipp can be reached at [email protected] and at 615-610-2086.

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ASCAP President Paul Williams recently visited with CBS This Morning to discuss the battles the performing rights organization has won for songwriters over its 100-year history, and to weigh in the battles the industry now faces for digital rights.

To watch the interview, visit msn.com.

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Garth Brooks has postponed media appearances in the wake of responses nationwide after the grand jury verdict last night (Nov. 24) that Ferguson, Mo., police officer Darren Wilson will not be indicted in the death of Michael Brown.

“We landed in [New York] last night to the news of the civil unrest that was going on in our nation,” Brooks said in a statement. “To spend the day promoting our stuff like nothing was wrong, seemed distasteful to me. I will gladly reschedule any or all appearances the networks will allow. Love one another…g”

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Music industry member Preshias Harris will host “A Preshias Day in Music” on Sunday, Dec. 7 at the Listening Room Cafe in Nashville from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. The free event is open to the public, and will include music from country-rock band Borrowed Blue, The Voice contestant Allison Bray, rock artist Stephen Hunley, America’s Got Talent singer-guitarist Paul Thomas Mitchell, Americana music’s Jess & Aaron, indie recording artist Katie Kendall, rock band The Sifters, as well as songwriters Dustin Bragg, Rye Davis, Rusty Dean, Demi Downing, Lindsay Harding, Emily Maygnn, Gyth Rigdon, Mike Short, Laurel Taylor, Clay Underwood, Ben Whisler and Jamie Whit.

Attendees are invited to bring a “water donation” (a 12-pack or 24-bottle case) to be collected at the door by USO Nashville.
 
 

Four all-new CMA Songwriters Series episodes will tape at Nashville’s Marathon Music Works on Dec. 1 and 2 (two each day), set to air as part of “Front and Center’s” Spring season on public television (check local listings).
Sara Evans and Martina McBride will take the stage on Monday, Dec. 1 (6:30 PM/CT), followed by a performance by Hunter Hayes (9:30 PM/CT). Little Big Town will open the performances on Tuesday, Dec. 2 (6:30 PM/CT), followed by Bob DiPiero and Friends: Brandy Clark, Shane McAnally, and Charlie Worsham (9:30 PM/CT).
“CMA is extremely proud of our songwriters and their many contributions to the success of Country Music,” said Sarah Trahern, CMA Chief Executive Officer. “And we are thrilled to partner with ‘Front and Center’ again to shine a national spotlight on this important segment of our industry. It’s great knowing that we have a partner who truly appreciates the talent of Nashville’s creative community.”
“The reaction that we received as a result of our partnership with the CMA, and subsequently from the shows that we aired with Lady Antebellum and Dierks Bentley, was overwhelming,” said “Front and Center” Executive Producer Don Maggi. “The acceptance that ’Front and Center’ has received from the Nashville music community, and its fans, left no question that we should do even more for the forthcoming Spring season.”
Citi cardmembers currently have access to purchase tickets to these shows through its Private Pass program.
“Front and Center” launched in the spring of 2012 as an original one hour, commercial-free, all-music series, airing nationwide on public television, distributed by American Public Television. Last season “Front and Center” announced its partnership with CMA and taped two shows: Lady Antebellum and a special 10th Anniversary Celebration of the CMA Songwriters Series with Dierks Bentley. The episodes premiered last month as part of The 48th Annual CMA Awards celebration and will continue to air through the end of the year.
All episodes are directed by Pierre and François Lamoureux of FogoLabs.

Warner/Chappell Music (WCM), the music publishing arm of Warner Music Group, along with publisher Neon Cross, have signed a worldwide publishing agreement with songwriter Jeremy Spillman.
Spillman said, “Warner/Chappell has felt like home since day one and working with Jay Joyce is a dream come true. It’s the best of both worlds.”
Ben Vaughn, Executive Vice President, Warner/Chappell Music Nashville, said, “Jeremy Spillman is a show-up-every-day, thoughtful, & diverse songwriter that co-writers love to spend time creating music with. It’s a real honor to support his songs working in conjunction with Jay Joyce & Neon Cross.”
“Jeremy Spillman is the perfect addition to our team,” said Jay Joyce, Founder, Neon Cross. “He has always been one of my favorite writers—he works hard and is committed to his art. I can’t wait to see the crazy places this partnership will take us.”
In just the past year, Spillman has had a diverse collection of songs recorded by such renowned artists as Eric Church, Brantley Gilbert, Little Big Town, Darius Rucker, Keith Urban, Frankie Ballard, and Charlie Worsham.