Industry Ink: ole, Hunter Hayes, Guitar-B-Que

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Independent rights management company ole has signed songwriter-producer Jason Massey to its expanding roster. Massey has written with Sony Music artist Ryan Griffin, as well as Black River artists John King and Kelsea Ballerini. Massey is also Ballerini’s co-producer.
“Jason is a prolific writer who should be, and will be, making records on a major scale within the year,” said John Ozier, ole’s General Manager of Creative in Nashville. “Jason is a great addition to ole’s Nashville roster, and we are proud to represent him.”

Pictured (L-R, back row): Emily Mueller (ole Creative Manager), Shellien Kinsey (ole Creative Coordinator). Front row: Austen Adams (Dickinson Wright, PLLC), Songwriter/Producer Jason Massey, John Ozier (ole GM Creative, Nashville).

Pictured (L-R, back row): Emily Mueller (ole Creative Manager), Shellien Kinsey (ole Creative Coordinator). Front row: Austen Adams (Dickinson Wright, PLLC), Songwriter/Producer Jason Massey, John Ozier (ole GM Creative, Nashville).

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Hunter Hayes surprised fans when he took the stage as an unannounced performer during the Jake Jam Sunday (Aug. 10). Among the performers at the event were Eli Young Band, Stoney LaRue, Natalie Stovall and the Drive, and Brothers Osborne. Hayes also visited with Oklahoma station KJKE’s APD/MD Owen Pickard.

Pictured (L-R): Mark Niederhauser, Southwest Regional Team WMN; Hunter Hayes; APD/MD Owen Pickard.

Pictured (L-R): Mark Niederhauser, Southwest Regional Team WMN; Hunter Hayes; APD/MD Owen Pickard

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guitar b que1Loser’s Nashville is the hot spot for tonight’s (Aug. 13) 2014 Guitar-B-Que hosted by WSIX. The event features performances from Billy Currington, Tyler Farr, Eric Paslay, The Cadillac Three, Brothers Osborne, and Lindsay Ell.
Proceeds from the event benefit St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Admission to the event is free.

Sea Gayle Music Inks Deal With Songwriter Phillip White

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Pictured (L-R): Jake Gear, Mike Owens, Freeman Wizer, White, Chris DuBois and Marc Driskill

Pictured (L-R): Jake Gear, Mike Owens, Freeman Wizer, White, Chris DuBois and Marc Driskill


Sea Gayle Music has signed songwriter Phillip White to a publishing agreement. White, a Nashville native, earned ACM song of the Year honors for Rascal Flatts‘ “I’m Movin’ On,” and has also had songs recorded by Luke Bryan, Blake Shelton, George Strait, Reba and others.
“Phillip is an exceptional songwriter and has a unique ability to connect music and life. Anyone who has had the opportunity to work with him knows how talented he is, but also how great it is to work with him. We are thrilled to have him as part of the Sea Gayle team,” Sea Gayle EVP/GM Marc Driskill says.

3 Ring Circus Music Signs Bonagura

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Bonagura (center) is pictured with her creative team at 3 Ring Circus [l to r]: [Davis Dirickson, PLLC partner R. Landon Dirickson, Esq., ASCAP Senior Creative Director LeAnn Phelan, 3 Ring Circus Music Director of A&R/Artist Management Casey LeVasseur, Franklin Publishing & Management President Darrell Franklin, Alyssa Bonagura, 3 Ring Circus Music President Jeffrey Steele, ASCAP Senior Creative Director Mike Sistad. Photo: Colin M Lewis - Stella Cadente ENT

Bonagura (center) is pictured with her creative team at 3 Ring Circus (L-R): Davis Dirickson, PLLC partner R. Landon Dirickson, Esq.; ASCAP Senior Creative Director LeAnn Phelan; 3 Ring Circus Music Director of A&R/Artist Management Casey LeVasseur; Franklin Publishing & Management President Darrell Franklin; Alyssa Bonagura; 3 Ring Circus Music President Jeffrey Steele; ASCAP Senior Creative Director Mike Sistad. Photo: Colin M Lewis – Stella Cadente ENT

Singer-songwriter Alyssa Bonagura is the latest songwriter signed to Jeffrey Steele‘s 3 Ring Circus Music. “She’s the goods! When she first introduced herself and told me who her parents were and that she was working with David Conrad, I just got that feeling,” Steele said. “She’s the most inspiring and creative singer-songwriter I have seen in a long time.”
The daughter of artists Michael Bonagura and Kathie Baillie (Baillie and the The Boys), Bonagura first recorded for a duet with Kenny Rogers at age 10, and was on tour by age 13, opening a 50+ city tour for Marty Stuart. She attended Paul McCartney’s Liverpool Institute for the Performing Arts in the U.K. In 2012, her song “I Make My Own Sunshine” was placed in a Lowe’s commercial. She has also recorded and performed with artists including Vince Gill, Matt Maher, Jo Dee Messina, and Steele.

Industry Ink: SESAC, Downtown Music Publishing, Capitol CMG, ole

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David Shawl

David Shawl


SESAC has named David Shawl as Associate Director, Business Development Center (BDC). Shawl will work with the BDC’s director in overseeing daily operations of the BDC, as well as handling numerous licensing projects.
“David brings a level of excellence to our operations as he works alongside the music licensing representatives, as well as with SESAC licensees,” says Bill Lee, SESAC’s Sr. VP, Licensing. “We are excited to announce this well-earned promotion.”
A Nashville native, Shawl attended Austin Peay State University.

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Downtown Music Publishing has signed ASCAP songwriter Andy Albert to an exclusive publishing deal. Albert is a member of the ASCAP Guidance from Publishers for Songwriters (GPS) Project class of 2014. The Atlanta native was previously part of the duo Bonaventure, with Dan Smyers of Dan +Shay.

Pictured (L-R): Downtown Music Publishing's Danny Berrios, Music Ro Management's Rohan Kohli, ASCAP's LeAnn Phelan, Andy Albert, Downtown Music Publishing's Steve Markland and attorney Chip Petree.

Pictured (L-R): Downtown Music Publishing’s Danny Berrios, Music Ro Management’s Rohan Kohli, ASCAP’s LeAnn Phelan, Andy Albert, Downtown Music Publishing’s Steve Markland and attorney Chip Petree.

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Capitol CMG Publishing and songwriter Daniel Bashta recently celebrated the Newsboys recording of Bashta’s song “God’s Not Dead (Like A Lion)” being certified Gold by the RIAA.
Pictured (L-R): Matt Ewald (CCMG), Jimi Williams (CCMG), John Thompson (CCMG), Daniel Bashta, Chris York (CCMG), Taylor Bashta, Jeff Gunkel (CCMG).

Pictured (L-R): Matt Ewald (CCMG), Jimi Williams (CCMG), John Thompson (CCMG), Daniel Bashta, Chris York (CCMG), Taylor Bashta, Jeff Gunkel (CCMG).

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ole recently hosted a luncheon at Nashville’s Pinewood Social on Aug. 6 as part of BMI Presents…Sync THIS!

A variety of music supervisors, songwriters, composers, and ole and BMI staff attended, including (pictured from left to right) Andrew Petroff (ole songwriter/producer), Stacy Widelitz (Composer), John Ozier (ole, GM Nashville Creative), Jesse Lee (ole songwriter), Gilles Godard (ole, VP Business Development), Emily Mueller (ole, Creative Manager), Ben Strain (ole, Creative Director), Toddrick Spalding (Trailer Park), Kasey Truman (Chop Shop Music), Randall Foster (ole, Sr. Director, Sync & Licensing), Jim Scherer (Whizbang, Inc), Jazz Godard (Hummingbird Productions), Chris Clark (Leo Burnett), Aaron Howard (Hummingbird Productions), Guinn Rogers (Hummingbird Productions), Jeremy Ash (BMI), and Penny Everhard (BMI).

Pictured (L-R): Andrew Petroff (ole songwriter/producer), Stacy Widelitz (Composer), John Ozier (ole, GM Nashville Creative), Jesse Lee (ole songwriter), Gilles Godard (ole, VP Business Development), Emily Mueller (ole, Creative Manager), Ben Strain (ole, Creative Director), Toddrick Spalding (Trailer Park), Kasey Truman (Chop Shop Music), Randall Foster (ole, Sr. Director, Sync & Licensing), Jim Scherer (Whizbang, Inc), Jazz Godard (Hummingbird Productions), Chris Clark (Leo Burnett), Aaron Howard (Hummingbird Productions), Guinn Rogers (Hummingbird Productions), Jeremy Ash (BMI), and Penny Everhard (BMI).

UMPG Appoints Alperin to Sr. VP Role

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Rebekah Alperin SVP Marketing & Communications_72dp1

Rebekah Alperin


Rebekah Alperin has been appointed Sr. VP, Marketing and Communications for Universal Music Publishing Group (UMPG). In this new role, Alperin will manage the company’s worldwide corporate marketing, internal, and external communications, social media and digital marketing strategies. She will be based in the company’s headquarters in Santa Monica, Calif., and will report to Evan Lamberg, president of UMPG North America, as well as to Will Tanous, executive vice president and head of global communications of Universal Music Group.
Alperin joins UMPG and UMG’s communications team from Kobalt Music Group, where she worked for nearly 10 years, most recently in the role of Sr. VP of Communications and Marketing.
“I’m thrilled to be working for UMPG as the global company continues to be a major force in fostering talent, driving transparency, protecting copyright, and is fast forwarding new tech innovation. I’m so grateful to Evan and Will for this opportunity to work alongside some of the most creative and progressive executives in the business on behalf of so many of the most important artists, writers and music catalogs in the world,” said Alperin.

Industry Execs, Artists, Music Supervisors Mingle at BMI's Sync THIS!

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Nashville music industry execs and artists met with six top music supervisors from film, television and advertising on Aug. 5-6, thanks to BMI’s Sync THIS! The two-day event, held in Nashville, offered exclusive performances from Zeke Duhon, Sea Ghouls, firekid, Baby Bee, Colony House, and COIN, as well as panel discussions and private dinners at two of Nashville’s latest restaurants.
Additional sponsors for the event included Capitol CMG Publishing, City National Bank, Downtown Music Publishing, and Tennessee Film Commission.

Pictured (L-R): BMI's Jody Williams and Mary Loving, Trailer Park music supervisor Toddrick Spalding, Leo Burnett music supervisor Chris Clark, Wool & Tusk music supervisor Aaron Mercer, firekid, ChopShop Music supervisor Kasey Truman, Capitol CMG's Jeremy Ash, Neophonic music supervisor PJ Bloom, BMI's Penny Everhard, Sea Ghouls, Rumours East executive chef Matt Hayes.

Pictured (L-R): BMI’s Jody Williams and Mary Loving, Trailer Park music supervisor Toddrick Spalding, Leo Burnett music supervisor Chris Clark, Wool & Tusk music supervisor Aaron Mercer, firekid, ChopShop Music supervisor Kasey Truman, Capitol CMG’s Jeremy Ash, Neophonic music supervisor PJ Bloom, BMI’s Penny Everhard, Sea Ghouls, Rumours East executive chef Matt Hayes.


Pictured (L-R): Leo Burnett music supervisor Chris Clark, Wool & Tusk music supervisor Aaron Mercer, Capitol CMG's Jeremy Ash, firekid, Neophonic music supervisor PJ Bloom, BMI's Penny Everhard

Pictured (L-R): Leo Burnett music supervisor Chris Clark, Wool & Tusk music supervisor Aaron Mercer, Capitol CMG’s Jeremy Ash, firekid, Neophonic music supervisor PJ Bloom, BMI’s Penny Everhard


Pictured (L-R): ChopShop music supervisor Kasey Truman and Trailer Park music supervisor Toddrick Spalding participate in panel discussions.

Pictured (L-R): ChopShop music supervisor Kasey Truman and Trailer Park music supervisor Toddrick Spalding participate in panel discussions.

SeeSeeBubba Songs Inks Deal with Music Services

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natalie grant hurricane1SeeSeeBubba Songs, a publishing company that represents songs from Contemporary Christian artist Natalie Grant, has signed an exclusive worldwide administration deal with Brentwood-based Music Services. Under the new partnership, Music Services will be responsible for monetizing and licensing Grant’s catalog, including her recent No. 1 hit “Hurricane.”
Music Services’ clients also include Centricity Records and Publishing, Fair Trade Records and Publishing, Gaither Records, Gotee Records, LifeWay, Reach Records, Simpleville Publishing, Spring Hill Records, Tooth and Nail Records and Publishing, Wondrous Worship, Word Entertainment, and others.

CTM Writers INK Signs Marcus Hummon

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(L-R): Shona Burr, Shawn Bowling, Eddie Robba, Marcus Hummon, Jared Mitchell, Autumn McEntire, Mark Sizemore and Brandon Perdue)

Pictured (L-R): Shona Burr, Shawn Bowling, Eddie Robba, Marcus Hummon, Jared Mitchell, Autumn McEntire, Mark Sizemore and Brandon Perdue.


Songwriter Marcus Hummon has signed with CTM Writers INK, the publishing division of Catch This Music. The signing was celebrated with a party on Aug. 6 at Nashville’s Thistle Stop Cafe.

“It’s such an honor to begin this journey with Marcus,” says Eddie Robba, President/CEO of CTM Writers INK and Catch This Music. “The day I met Marcus, I knew that eventually we’d be working together in some form or fashion. Marcus is passionate and seems to always have a treasure chest of song ideas with powerful messages!”

Hummon is known for penning the songs “Bless The Broken Road” (Rascal Flatts), “Cowboy Take Me Away” and “Ready to Run” (both for the Dixie Chicks), “Born To Fly” (Sara Evans), and more. He has earned five No. 1 awards from BMI. Hummon released a critically acclaimed Country project for Columbia Records in 1995, titled All In Good Time. In 1998, Hummon and Stuart Adamson released the duo album Supernatural. He recently released The Passion on CTM Records.

Dates Set For ASCAP's 10th Annual 'I Create Music' Expo

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i create music1ASCAP‘s 10th annual “I Create Music” Expo will be held April 30-May 2, 2015, at the Loews Hollywood Hotel in Los Angeles. The three-day event will feature creative and business-focused panels, workshops, keynotes, one-on-one sessions, networking events, performances, and more. The ASCAP Expo is open to the public, and registration is scheduled to begin Oct. 30.
ASCAP President and Chairman Paul Williams said: “For 10 extraordinary years our extended ASCAP family of songwriters, composers and music publishers have come together in LA for a meeting of hearts and minds, and have welcomed all those people from around the world who are serious about creating a life in music. The EXPO has evolved into much more than one of today’s most valuable educational opportunities; it has become a unique experience that gives all music creators who participate the connections, direction and inspiration they need to forge their own path in today’s music industry.”
This year’s ASCAP “I Create Music” EXPO featured Shane McAnally, Amy Grant, Akon, Dr. Luke, Desmond Child, Julie Frost, and more.

SMACKSongs Signs Matthew Ramsey

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Pictured (L-R): ASCAP's Mike Sistad, SMACKSongs' Robin Palmer, Matthew Ramsey, and SMACKSongs' Shane McAnally and Robert Carlton. Photo by ASCAP's Alison Toczylowski.

Pictured (L-R): ASCAP’s Mike Sistad, SMACKSongs’ Robin Palmer, Matthew Ramsey, and SMACKSongs’ Shane McAnally and Robert Carlton. Photo by ASCAP’s Alison Toczylowski.


Shane McAnally‘s publishing company, SMACKSongs, has signed ASCAP songwriter and artist Matthew Ramsey. Ramsey is the lead singer of the Nashville-based band Old Dominion.
He has penned songs for The Band Perry (“Chainsaw”), Craig Morgan (“Wake Up Lovin’ You”), Dierks Bentley (“Say You Do”), Kenny Chesney and Luke Bryan. Old Dominion’s recently released single, “Shut Me Up,” co-written by Ramsey, has exceeded one million streams on Spotify.