Industry Pics: BMI, CMHoF, Big Machine Label Group, Capitol CMG

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Broadcast Music, Inc. recently presented performances during the first weekend of the Austin City Limits (ACL) Music Festival. The festivities kicked off on Friday, Oct. 3. Among the performers featured on the BMI stage at Austin City Limits was Capitol Nashville artist Jon Pardi.

BMI’s Mark Mason (far left), Penny Everhard (2nd from left) and Sama ntha Cox pause for a photo with Capitol recording artist Jon Pardi who performed on the BMI-sponsored stage at Austin City Limits Music Festival on October 3 in Austin, TX. Photo credit: Erika Goldring

Pictured (L-R): Mark Mason (BMI), Penny Everhard (BMI), Jon Pardi, and Samantha Cox (BMI). Photo: Erika Goldring

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The Country Music Hall of Fame featured hit songwriter Billy Edd Wheeler as part of its quarterly songwriters series, Poets and Prophets, at the Country Music Hall of Fame on Saturday, Oct. 18. Hosted by Museum editor Michael Gray, the 90-minute program and interview was held at the CMH0F’s Ford Theater.

Pictured (l-r) are: Buzz Cason; Suzi Cochran, widow of 2014 Hall of Fame inductee Hank Cochran; Dana McVicker; Billy Edd Wheeler; James Talley; Steve Young; John D. Loudermilk; and the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum’s Michael Gray. Photo by Rick Diamond

Pictured (L-R): Buzz Cason; Suzi Cochran, widow of 2014 Hall of Fame inductee Hank Cochran; Dana McVicker; Billy Edd Wheeler; James Talley; Steve Young; John D. Loudermilk; and the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum’s Michael Gray. Photo: Rick Diamond

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The Band Perry and BMLG’s Scott Borchetta were on hand recently for the Nashville screening of the Glen Campbell documentary Glen Campbell…I’ll Be Me. The Band Perry contributed a cover of Campbell’s signature “Gentle On My Mind” to the film’s soundtrack EP, released by Big Machine Records. After the screening, the trio performed four songs, including “Gentle On My Mind,” “Better Dig Two,” “If I Die Young,” and “DONE.”

The documentary opens in New York and Nashville on Friday, Oct. 24, and was awarded “Best International Documentary” at the Vancouver Film Festival.

Pictured (L-R): Neil Perry, James Keach, Kimberly Perry, Scott Borchetta, Trevor Albert, Reid Perry.

Pictured (L-R): Neil Perry, James Keach, Kimberly Perry, Scott Borchetta, Trevor Albert, Reid Perry.

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Capitol CMG writers Ben Glover and David Garcia were feted for their four recent No. 1 singles, including “Overcomer” (Mandisa), “Every Good Thing” (The Afters), “His Kind of Love” (Group 1 Crew), and “Write Your Story” (Francesca Battistelli).

Pictured (L-R): Capitol CMG Publishing's Matt Ewald, John Andrade, Glover, Garcia, John Thompson & Stacey Willbur

Pictured (L-R): Capitol CMG Publishing’s Matt Ewald, John Andrade, Glover, Garcia, John Thompson & Stacey Willbur

No. 1 Party: Meghan Trainor's "All About That Bass"

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(L-R): ASCAP’s LeAnn Phelan, Atom Factory’s Ty Stiklorius, Big Yellow Dog Music’s Carla Wallace, Meghan Trainor, Kevin Kadish, Sony/ATV’s Troy Tomlinson, Epic’s Paul Pontius, Sony/ATV’s Abbey Adams, ASCAP’s Michael Martin and ASCAP’s John Titta, Photo: Ed Rode

(L-R): ASCAP’s LeAnn Phelan, Atom Factory’s Ty Stiklorius, Big Yellow Dog Music’s Carla Wallace, Meghan Trainor, Kevin Kadish, Sony/ATV’s Troy Tomlinson, Epic’s Paul Pontius, Sony/ATV’s Abbey Adams, ASCAP’s Michael Martin and ASCAP’s John Titta. Photo: Ed Rode


ASCAP’s LeAnn Phelan, John Titta and Michael Martin welcomed an enthusiastic crowd to the celebration for Nashville resident and pop sensation Meghan Trainor whose “All About That Bass” hit the No. 1 spot on the charts for six weeks. The song was written and co-produced by Trainor and Kevin Kadish.
Attendees were excited to pay homage to the massive hit at the invitation-only soirée at Music City Tippler on Tuesday, Oct. 14.
Sony/ATV’s Troy Tomlinson stated, “This is a very righteous moment.” Referring to recent Sony/ATV admin signee Kadish, Tomlinson revealed, “This is the first No. 1 party that he’s ever even attended.”
Kadish is from Baltimore, Maryland and lived in N.Y. and L.A. before settling in Nashville in 2007 with his family. He told the crowd, “As songwriters we face 99 percent rejection in our lives. It makes it sweeter.”
Looking down at his prepared speech, an emotional Kadish added, “I have this whole thing written and it doesn’t matter.” Glancing over at Meghan, Kadish added, “The first day you walked into my studio. The first time I heard you sing. Look at you! I’m so proud to have been a part of this. You are made of music.”
MeghanTrainorBefore becoming a full-time Artist/Songwriter, Kadish worked at Capitol EMI Music helping Everclear, Foo Fighters, Radiohead, and Smashing Pumpkins shape their early careers. As a writer, his songs have spanned all genres of music including cuts by Willie Nelson, Garth Brooks, Stacie Orrico, Jason Mraz, Meatloaf and Motley Crue.
Big Yellow Dog CEO Carla Wallace shared how she first met Trainor when she was only 17 and quickly wanted to pursue signing her as a writer. Wallace wittingly quipped, “Like any great relationship, we waited until she was 18. And then we hit the ground running.”
Trainor addressed the party goers confessing, “I’m so nauseous and emotional.” Then she shared her experience as a 13-year-old artist when she went to her parents and asked, “Why am I not a superstar? I don’t understand. I’m killin’ it over here in my bedroom!” Giving gratitude to her parents for helping her follow that dream, she said, “It’s so worth it! Thank you so much for believing in me when I was 13.”
Trainor added, “Carla saw something that a lot of people did not see. I love you like a second mom.”
She recounted her first meeting in the studio with Kadish when she told him, “Let’s just write something great for the world.” Adding, “I think we did it.”
“All About That Bass” is featured on Trainor’s EP Title, which is nearing triple platinum status and the video has been viewed over 150 million times.
YouTube video

CMA Songwriters Series To Culminate 10th Season in NYC

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CMA-Songwriter-Series-Nashville-Brandy-Clark-Jaren-JohnstonDecember 3 and 4 will find host Bob DiPiero performing in New York City alongside Radney Foster, Brett James, and Craig Wiseman, celebrating the CMA Songwriter Series’ 10-year anniversary where it all began in 2005, Joe’s Pub.
The CMA Songwriters Series culminates its 10-year anniversary celebration with the two-night engagement, wrapping a year that included shows the Sundance Film Festival in January, as well as shows in Paradise Island, Bahamas, Austin, Chicago, New York, and London.
Tickets are currently on sale (for both 6:30 and 9:00 PM/ET) for $40 and $35. To order tickets, visit joespub.com.
Also in 2014, CMA has partnered with public television’s concert series Front and Center to present two separate hour-long concert specials with Lady Antebellum and Dierks Bentley (with special songwriter guests) for the 2014 fall season. Check local listings for dates and times.
ASCAP, BMI, and SESAC are the official partners of the CMA Songwriters Series.

Sony/ATV Signs Songwriter/Producer Kevin Kadish

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Kevin Kadish. Photo: Wikipedia

Kevin Kadish. Photo: Wikipedia


Sony/ATV Music Publishing has signed songwriter/producer Kevin Kadish to a worldwide deal. The agreement includes the Meghan Trainor hit “All About That Bass,” which Kadish penned with Trainor. He not only co-wrote Trainor’s debut single, but programmed the drums and bass, played guitar, and produced the track.
Martin Bandier, Sony/ATV Chairman and CEO, said: “We’re really excited at Sony/ATV to have Kevin Kadish as an exclusive songwriter. ‘All About The Bass’ is clearly one of the biggest songs of the year and we know there is a lot more to come from him.”
Kadish said, “I’m excited to start this new chapter in my career with Sony/ATV. From their amazing creative staff, to their thorough collections, I think they’re the perfect fit for me. I’m honored to be in the Sony family.”
The song has sold 2.7 million downloads in the States according to Nielsen SoundScan, and has been certified 2x platinum by the RIAA. Trainor is a writer for Nashville’s Big Yellow Dog Music.

‘Can You Duet’ Singer/Songwriter Signs Publishing and PRO Deals

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Pictured (L-R): Green Hills Music Group’s Woody Bomar, SESAC’s John Mullins, Karg, SESAC’s Tim Fink and Grin Like A Dog Songs’ Leslie Mitchell. Photo: Bev Moser

Pictured (L-R): Green Hills Music Group’s Woody Bomar, SESAC’s John Mullins, Karg, SESAC’s Tim Fink and Grin Like A Dog Songs’ Leslie Mitchell. Photo: Bev Moser


Singer/songwriter Rich Karg recently celebrated signing of a co-publishing deal with Woody Bomar‘s Green Hills Music Group and Steve and Leslie Mitchell‘s Grin Like A Dog Songs at the SESAC offices, where he concurrently signed for representation by the PRO.
Karg has recently performed across the country after being featured with his brother on CMT’s Can You Duet.

BMG And Maxx Music Publishing Sign Songwriter Sam Mizell

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Back Row (L-R): Justin Nicolet (Maxx Music Publishing), John Allen (BMG Chrysalis), Sara Knabe (BMG Chrysalis), Chris Oglesby (BMG Chrysalis) Front Row (L-R): Mitchell Solarek (Maxx Music Publishing), Kevin Lane (BMG Chrysalis), Sam Mizell, Kos Weaver (BMG Chrysalis), Daniel Lee (BMG Chrysalis)

Back Row (L-R): Justin Nicolet (Maxx Music Publishing), John Allen (BMG Chrysalis), Sara Knabe (BMG Chrysalis), Chris Oglesby (BMG Chrysalis). Front Row (L-R): Mitchell Solarek (Maxx Music Publishing), Kevin Lane (BMG Chrysalis), Sam Mizell, Kos Weaver (BMG Chrysalis), Daniel Lee (BMG Chrysalis).


BMG and Maxx Music Publishing have just signed a joint venture together, and the first writer signed under this JV is Sam Mizell. Mizell’s cuts include “Whiskey” (Jana Kramer), “Peaches and Caroline” (The Band Perry),  “Was I The Only One” (Jordin Sparks), “The Motions” and “You Are Everything” (Matthew West), among others.
Mizell has earned two ASCAP Song of the Year honors, one BMI award, and 11 ASCAP Top 25 Most Played awards.

Upcoming Events: CTM, Sheryl Crow, ASCAP DIY

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CTMCTM’s Writer’s Ink will host a writers round at the Music City Tippler on Thursday, Oct. 16 at 8 p.m.
Marcus Hummon, Autumn McEntire, Chris Roberts and Jared Mitchell are slated to perform alongside “special guests.”

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Sheryl-Crow-VanderbiltSheryl Crow will speak at the Vanderbilt’s Blair School of Music as part of the popular Conversations Series on Tuesday, Nov. 4. The event is free and open to the public in the Ingram Hall at the Blair School of Music. Seating is first-come, first-served.
Senior Lecturer Jen Gunderman will conduct an informal on-stage conversation with the singer at 8 p.m., followed by a Q&A session with the audience. Gunderman has been on leave from the university for the past year and a half touring with Crow as a keyboard, accordion and background singer. The Conversations Series first launched in 1995, when Jim Foglesong interviewed guitar legend Chet Atkins.

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ASCAP-DIYDirector of ASCAP’s business and membership affairs, Alex Grout, is preparing a seminar on Oct. 14 detailing streaming music services and translating the legal rights and permissions for Nashville publishers, writers, performers and labels.
The 5:30 p.m. event is part of the ASCAP DIYU, a monthly seminar at the PRO’s Nashville headquarters, open to all. Refreshments will be provided.

Round Hill Music Adds The Moxies

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the moxiesRound Hill Music has signed The Moxies to its Nashville publishing roster. The Cleveland-based band is currently in the studio writing and recording with Round Hill producer Marti Frederiksen, known for work with Aerosmith, Gavin Rossdale, Carrie Underwood, Daughtry, and Faith Hill.

“I’m so excited to have The Moxies on our roster here in Nashville,” said Director of A&R Kari Smith. “They have everything you could ask for in a band. They’re fresh, energetic and undeniably unique.” 

Band members Marco Ciofani (vocals, guitar), Kevin Werfield (drums) and Tyler Adams (bass), list influences ranging from Elvis Presley and Johnny Cash, to Cage the Elephant and Jack White. 

The Moxies are managed by Kim Stephens’ Forward Entertainment.

CMA Award Nominees To Play Songwriter Series

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CMA-Songwriter-Series-Nashville-Brandy-Clark-Jaren-JohnstonAs part of the events and activities leading up to the 48th Annual CMA Awards on Wednesday, Nov. 5, Brandy Clark and Jaren Johnston will perform during the CMA Songwriters Series in Nashville at the CMHoF’s CMA Theater on Tuesday, Nov. 4 (9:00 PM/CT). Additional songwriters to be announced soon.
Clark is nominated twice for the 48th annual awards, one for New Artist of the Year and another for Song of the Year (co-writing Kacey Musgraves’ “Follow Your Arrow”). The 2014 MusicRow Breakthrough Artist of the Year also co-wrote No. 1 hits for Miranda Lambert (“Mama’s Broken Heart”) and The Band Perry (“Better Dig Two”). She will embark on Eric Church’s The Outsiders World Tour beginning Oct. 16.
Johnston also boasts two 2014 CMA Awards nominations: Single of the Year (co-producing Dierks Bentley’s “Drunk On A Plane”) as well as Album of the Year (co-producing Bentley’s Riser). He also wrote 2014 CMA Single and Musical Event of the Year nominated song “Meanwhile Back at Mama’s,” recorded by Tim McGraw and Faith Hill. Johnston has penned No. 1 songs for Keith Urban (“You Gonna Fly”) and Jake Owen (“Beachin’”). He is a member of Big Machine Records recording group The Cadillac Three, who are currently on Owen’s Days Of Gold Tour.
Tickets for the Nov. 4 CMA Songwriters Series are currently on sale for $20-30 at CMASongwritersSeries.com.

Industry Ink: ASCAP, Bomar, CTM, Shelton

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ASCAPASCAP will continue its We Create Music Series on Oct. 8 at Nashville venue The Basement. The 5:00 p.m. show will feature Hannah Aldridge, Darrin Bradbury, Caroline Spence, Josh London, Cole Taylor and CJ Solar.

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SouthboundCoverHiResRespected music writer Scott B. Bomar will appear in support of his new book Southbound: An Illustrated History of Southern Rock, during Nashville’s Southern Festival of Books on Saturday, Oct. 11. The Los Angeles-based writer will participate in a panel discussion with author Carla Jean Whitley called “They’ve Been Known to Pick a Song or Two: Southern Rock and the Muscle Shoals Sound.”
After a book tour through the southern region, Bomar will return to Nashville on Oct. 20 for a 6:30 p.m. reading, Q&A and book signing at Parnassus Books in Green Hills. The Music City native is son of publisher Woody Bomar. More info at ScottBBomar.com.

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Catch-This-MusicIn celebration of three years, Catch This Music will host a parking lot party on Wednesday, Oct. 8 from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at 1008 17th Ave. S. Food and drinks will be provided. RSVPs requested to shona@catchthismusic.com.

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Executives gathered backstage before Blake Shelton wrapped his Ten Times Crazier Tour 2014 at California’s Hollywood Bowl this past Saturday (Oct. 4) to surprise the Warner Music Nashville entertainer with a plaque celebrating sales of more than 20 million digital singles. Shelton’s next tour dates will be in 2015. His latest album, Bringing Back The Sunshine, was released Sept. 30.

Pictured (L-R): Scott Hendricks (EVP, A&R), Peter Strickland (EVP & GM, WMN), John Esposito (President & CEO, WMN), Blake Shelton, Kevin Herring (SVP, National Promotion), Narvel Blackstock (Starstruck Management), Brandon Blackstock (Starstruck Management)

Pictured (L-R): Scott Hendricks (EVP, A&R), Peter Strickland (EVP & GM, WMN), John Esposito (President & CEO, WMN), Blake Shelton, Kevin Herring (SVP, National Promotion), Narvel Blackstock (Starstruck Management), Brandon Blackstock (Starstruck Management)