SESAC Signs Zac Brown

/by
ZacBrown

Zac Brown

Zac Brown, songwriter and frontman of the three-time GRAMMY® winning and multi-platinum Zac Brown Band, has signed with SESAC for songwriter representation. 

 “I have a great respect for songwriting. It’s one of the most powerful ways to reach people and to be able to write music, as my career, is one of the greatest gifts I could have asked for,” said Brown. “Great songs accompany our most precious memories, bring us out of darkness, and connect us all. I’m very excited about the ones cooking and our new team at SESAC.”

Brown’s most notable songwriting credits include “Toes,” “Chicken Fried,” “Colder Weather,” “Goodbye In Her Eyes” and “Sweet Annie,” all chart-topping hits for Zac Brown Band.

“Zac’s excellence as a songwriter is well-known, not just in the country music market, but across genres,” says Trevor Gale, Senior Vice President, Writer/Publisher Relations, SESAC. “We are proud to welcome him to the SESAC family.”

Since its major label debut in 2008, Zac Brown Band has released three platinum-selling albums Uncaged (Atlantic/Southern Ground), You Get What You Give (Atlantic/Southern Ground) and The Foundation (Atlantic Records/Home Grown/Big Picture) for combined sales of more than 6 million copies and producing eleven No. 1 hit singles. 

The band is currently on their Great American Road Trip tour, which included a two-night stand at Fenway Park without any supporting acts – a feat only accomplished by four other bands (Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band, Jimmy Buffett & The Coral Reefer Band, The Police and The Rolling Stones). 

The band’s latest project, The Grohl Sessions Vol. 1 on Southern Ground, features a 45-minute film by Southern Reel on the making of the album. 

Industry Ink: CMA Songwriters Series, CMT's Leslie Fram, MusicMaster

/by

The CMA Songwriters Series visited Chicago this week for a night of stories and songs at Joe’s Bar. Songwriter and CMA board member Bob DiPiero hosted and performed alongside Monty Powell, Striking Matches, and Charlie Worsham.

Pictured (L-R): CMA Board member Bob DiPiero, Charlie Worsham, Sarah Zimmermann and Justin Davis of Striking Matches, and Monty Powell backstage at the CMA Songwriters Series Wednesday, July 30 at Joe's Bar in Chicago. Photo: Matt Marton / CMA

Pictured (L-R): CMA Board member Bob DiPiero, Charlie Worsham, Sarah Zimmermann and Justin Davis of Striking Matches, and Monty Powell backstage at the CMA Songwriters Series Wednesday, July 30 at Joe’s Bar in Chicago. Photo: Matt Marton / CMA

 • • •

Leslie Fram

Leslie Fram


CMT Sr. VP of Music Strategy Leslie Fram will be the keynote speaker for Nashville Lifestyles‘ Women In Business event, to be held Thursday, Aug. 26, beginning at 11:30 a.m. at Nashville’s Schermerhorn Symphony Center. Tickets are $50, and full table ticketing options are available (10 for $500) by contacting [email protected].
Individual tickets are available at ticketsnashville.com.

• • •

musicmaster1Former MusicRow radio chart reporting panelist JVC PD Dave Tyler has joined MusicMaster as a Music Scheduling Consultant. Tyler has worked with the MusicRow CountryBreakout chart since inception stating, “I have been with WTRS alone for 16 years and there are few gigs that could entice me away from my JVC Broadcasting family, but this is one that checked every box on my wish list, the most important of which is the chance to work with Joe Knapp, whom I’ve known and admired for a long time.”
Additional new hires include Jeff Schroeder as Senior Technical Consultant for onsite installation, technical documentation, and automation interface expertise and Lorie Robers as Senior Accountant.

Jody Gerson Appointed Chairman, CEO of UMPG

/by

Jody Gerson. Photo: Austin Hargrave

Jody Gerson. Photo: Austin Hargrave


Universal Music Group (UMG) has appointed Jody Gerson as Chairman and CEO of the company’s music publishing division, Universal Music Publishing Group (UMPG), effective January 1, 2015. Gerson, who has served as co-president of Sony/ATV Publishing since 2008, will be based at UMPG’s headquarters in Santa Monica, Calif., and will report to UMG Chairman and CEO, Lucian Grainge.  She will succeed Zach Horowitz, who, as previously reported, has stepped down from his role as UMPG Chairman and CEO.
Grainge said, “Jody Gerson is simply one of the best music publishers in the business, and we are thrilled that she will be bringing her creativity, savvy and vast experience to UMPG.  Jody represents a new breed of music industry leadership, with a keen understanding of the evolving role of music publishers in the digital era and a track record of artist successes that places her among all-time greats.  I’m excited for what we will accomplish together.”
Grainge continued, “On behalf of everyone at the company, let me extend our profound gratitude to Zach for his adept stewardship of UMPG and his decades of service to UMG.   His versatility as an executive and leader is extremely rare and we wish him only the best.”
Gerson’s first signing at Sony/ATV Music Publishing was then-unknown singer-songwriter Lady Gaga. She also played a part in the careers of Enrique Iglesias, Mac Miller, Pitbull, RedOne, Shakira and Pharrell Williams, among others. Gerson’s career began at Chappell music (Warner/Chappell’s predecessor). After six years at Chappell, Gerson joined EMI as head of the company’s east coast publishing division. In 1996, she signed a 15-year-old Alicia Keys, who went on to sell more than 10 million albums nationwide. Gerson signed Norah Jones in 2003.
Additionally, Gerson served as a producer of the successful films Drumline and ATL.  She is currently serving as executive producer for Drumline 2 for VH1.

Date Set For 62nd Annual BMI Country Awards

/by
bmi-logo1111featured
Broadcast Music, Inc. will celebrate top Country songwriters during the company’s 62nd annual BMI Country Awards, set for Tuesday, Nov. 4 at BMI’s Nashville offices. BMI will honor the Country Songwriter, Song and Publisher of the Year, and salute the writers and publishers behind the past year’s 50 most-performed songs from BMI’s Country catalog.
They will also honor the BMI Icon Award, the organization’s highest honor, which is given to “songwriters who have had a unique and indelible influence on generations of music makers.” This year’s recipient of the BMI Icon award will be announced in coming weeks.
In 2013, the 61st annual BMI Country Awards honored Dean Dillon as a BMI Icon; Dillon has penned numerous songs for artists including George Strait, who has recorded more than 50 of Dillon’s songs during his career. Additionally, Rodney Clawson was named Country Songwriter of the Year, while Troy Verges‘ and Hunter Hayes‘ co-written tune “Wanted” earned the Song of the Year title. Sony/ATV Music Publishing Nashville was honored as Publisher of the Year in 2013.

Horowitz Steps Down From UMPG Chairman and CEO Post

/by

Zach Horowitz

Zach Horowitz


Zach Horowitz has stepped down from his role as chairman and CEO of Universal Music Publishing Group, a position he has held since April 2012, after spending 12 years as president and COO of Universal Music Group. According to Hollywood Reporter, he has been with Universal Music Group for more than three decades.
“After a wonderful 30 years at Universal Music Group it is time for me to move on and explore other opportunities,” said Horowitz in a departure email to staff.
Horowitz began as an attorney at CBS before being named global head of business and legal affairs for MCA Records. From there he rose to COO at MCA Music Entertainment. After Polygram was purchased in 1999, he was named president and COO of what became Universal Music Group.
Horowitz aided in acquiring and integrating Geffen, Interscope, and Polygram Holdings under Universal, which then included Def Jam, Island, A&M, Motown, and Deutsche Grammophon.
UMPG’s roster includes the music of Irving Berlin, Leonard Bernstein, Justin Bieber, Mariah Carey, Desmond Child, Eminem, Billy Joel, Justin Timberlake and many others.

Industry Ink: Avenue Bank, PLA Media, SESAC

/by

AvenueBank

(L-R): Cooper Samuels, Asst. VP/Music & Entertainment Private Client Banker, Avenue Bank; April Britt, Sr. VP/Chief People Officer, Avenue Bank; Ron Cox, Sr. VP/Dir. of the Music & Entertainment Division, Avenue Bank; Judi Turner, Communications & Events Manager, Leadership Music; Sarah Cates, Sr. Dir.of Curb College Initiatives, Belmont University; Debbie Schwartz Linn, Executive Director, Leadership Music; Andy Moats, EVP/Chief Credit Officer and General Bank Group Director, Avenue Bank.


Avenue Bank’s Ron Cox, Sr. VP/Dir. of the Music & Entertainment Division, presented a check to Leadership Music’s Executive Director, Debbie Schwartz Linn for $4,000 yesterday (July 29) in support of the educational organization.
Cox, who serves as the adjunct professor, joined other Avenue Bank team members to write, develop and teach the curriculum for a 15-week class offered to Belmont students called, “Personal Finance and Banking in the Music Industry.” Fees required to be paid by Belmont to the adjunct professor of record were accumulated and gifted back to the industry with this donation to Leadership Music.
Cox shared, “With Belmont’s presence and impact in the music industry through the Mike Curb College of Entertainment and Music Business, we found a unique way to pool our synergies together. We continually receive very positive reviews from the class because we cover a wide variety of subject matter from personal budgeting, saving and investing, buying a home, starting a business, entrepreneurship, touring, publishing and many other relevant topics associated with personal and business finance within the music industry. We are proud of our partnership with both Belmont and Leadership Music, and it how this class is a picture of the true community spirit within our music industry.”

• • •

Al Brake

Al Brake


PLA Media has added Country artist Al Brake to its roster. “Being a rock and roll devotee, I love his spin on Country music with rock infusion. PLA is poised to take Al’s success in the Canadian marketplace worldwide,” says Pam Lewis, President PLA Media.
The Canadian singer-songwriter earned two honors from Indie Music Channel in 2013 for Best Country Producer and Best Country Recording. He recently released the single, “Hot Pink Lady” to radio. Brake began playing guitar at age 8, and later added bass, mandolin and drums to his repertoire. When he isn’t touring or recording, he is with his wife and four children at their home in Canada.

• • •

SESAC’s Ellen Truley and husband, actor Todd Truley welcomed New York City entrepreneur and City Winery CEO Michael Dorf to Nashville during a reception held at the event space in advance of the establishment’s opening. City Winery, located at 609 LaFayette Street, is set to open in a 30,000-square-foot space on Oct. 1. It will also be the site of the Americana Music Association’s Honors & Awards VIP After Party on Sept. 17. City Winery also has locations in New York, Chicago, and Napa Valley, Calif.

Pictured (L-R): City Winery’s Michael Dorf, SESAC’s Ellen Truley and actor Todd Truley.

Pictured (L-R): City Winery’s Michael Dorf, SESAC’s Ellen Truley and actor Todd Truley.

Industry Ink (7/29/14)

/by

CTM Writers Ink, the publishing division of Catch This Music, has signed Autumn McEntire Sizemore to its roster.
“We’re thrilled to add Autumn to our unique team of creators,” says Eddie Robba, president/CEO of CTM Writers Ink and Catch This Music. “Autumn brings phenomenal energy that undeniably aligns with our vision for continued growth and success.”
After graduating from Belmont University, Sizemore signed her first publishing contract with Still Working Music Group, and earned her first songwriting cut on Danielle Peck’s debut album. Sizemore, who lives in Nashville with husband Mark and their son Brecken, is the son of Pake McEntire and niece to Reba McEntire.

Pictured (L-R): Narvel Blackstock, Reba McEntire, Autumn McEntire Sizemore and Eddie Robba.

Pictured (L-R): Narvel Blackstock, Reba McEntire, Autumn McEntire Sizemore and Eddie Robba.

 • • •

nikki mitchell songwriting contestThe Nikki Mitchell Foundation and Hank Cochran’s The Pen Fund invite aspiring songwriters to get creative for a cause with the New Moon Full Life Songwriting Contest. Entries are being accepted through Saturday, Nov. 29. There is a $20 entry fee for the competition. The fee will go to the Nikki Mitchell Foundation, with a portion going to Hank Cochran’s The Pen Fund, to aid songwriters battling pancreatic cancer. For more information, visit contest.nikkimitchellfoundation.org.
One or more Full Moon Full Life artists will record the winner’s song and perform it at Full Moon Full Life 2015.

 • • •

AIMP LogoThe Association of Independent Music Publishers (AIMP) Nashville and Fifth Third Bank welcome the Production Music Association for a Production Music 101 panel held Aug. 6 at ASCAP’s Connie Bradley Board Room from 12:30-2:00p.m. Moderated by Hunter Williams (PMA), confirmed panelists are Randy Wachtler (Warner/Chappell Production), Brian Brasher (Pitch Hammer Music), Paul Jones (Auralation Music) and Lindsey Williams (Composer/Really Big Bison Music), who will address topics such as creation of production music libraries, licensing/monetization of libraries, and worldwide view or reach of production music.
This event will is $10 for AIMP members and $20 for guests.  Pre-registration is required as lunch is provided and can be done until Aug. 1 here.

Industry Ink (7/28/14)

/by

David Epstein

David Epstein


Warner/Chappell Production Music has tapped David Epstein as Director of Licensing for Warner/Chappell Production Music’s trailer music division, Non-Stop Trailers. David will be responsible for developing Non-Stop Trailers’ Film Trailer business in North America.
Epstein was most recently Sales & Marketing Executive for Sony/ATV’s production music arm Extreme Music, where he focused on the Trailers & Film/TV Departments. His prior experience includes Sales & Marketing roles with Interscope Records & NBC Universal.

 • • •

Pictured (L-R): SGM's Ashley Hamlin, Ryan Laird, SGM President Mike Mouret, and SGM's Danielle Thorn.

Pictured (L-R): SGM’s Ashley Hamlin, Ryan Laird, SGM President Mike Mouret, and SGM’s Danielle Thorn.


Brentwood, Tenn.-based Studio Gold Music has signed singer-songwriter Ryan Laird to a publishing and artist development contract. Studio Gold Music currently represents Mary Francis, Derrick Hampton, and Paul Cunningham.
A native of Fergus, Ontario, Canada, Laird earned a Canadian Country Music Award in 2012 for his Top Ten hit, “I’m Your Man.” That same year, he was nominated for a CCMA Rising Star Award. Now living in Nashville, Laird is co-writing and working on his upcoming release. He is also the founding partner/artist for the Bigger Than That Foundation, a musical concert initiative which promotes anti-bullying.
“All of us at Studio Gold Music are delighted to have Ryan join the SGM team. Ryan Laird is not only a super-talented and philanthropic performing artist, but a fantastic songwriter as well. His music is upbeat, enthusiastic and positively contagious,” said Mike Mouret, President of Studio Gold Music. “Ryan is a very dedicated and productive writer, and possesses a great flow of musical inspiration.”
Studio Gold offers traditional music publishing, single-song publishing, artist development, and related promotional activities.

                                          • • •

Pictured (L-R): Jason Paxton, Casey Joe Kelly, Sirius XM’s senior director of country programming John Marks, Waylon Owings, Josh Coleman and Smiley Norris.

Pictured (L-R): Jason Paxton, Casey Joe Kelly, Sirius XM’s senior director of country programming John Marks, Waylon Owings, Josh Coleman and Smiley Norris.


South Carolina Country band Outshyne recently earned their first No. 1 song on SiriusXM’s The Highway, as “Moonlight Crush” topped The Highway’s “Hot 45 Countdown.”  The single has sold more than 5,000 downloads per week at iTunes, totaling more than 78,000 downloads to date.

Steph Jones Signs With Disney Music Publishing, Big Deal Music

/by

Pictured (back row, L-R): Patrick Clifford, VP Music Publishing and A&R Nashville, Disney Music Publishing; Greg Gallo, Creative Director, Big Deal Music Nashville; Mike Daly, Director, A&R, Disney Music Group; Ciara Gardner, A&R Coordinator, Disney Music Publishing; Dale Bobo, SVP, Big Deal Music Nashville. Front row: Steph Jones, songwriter)

Pictured (back row, L-R): Patrick Clifford, VP Music Publishing and A&R Nashville, Disney Music Publishing; Greg Gallo, Creative Director, Big Deal Music Nashville; Mike Daly, Director, A&R, Disney Music Group; Ciara Gardner, A&R Coordinator, Disney Music Publishing; Dale Bobo, SVP, Big Deal Music Nashville. Front row: Steph Jones, songwriter)


Songwriter Steph Jones is one of the latest songwriters to join the Disney Music Publishing family. Jones has inked an exclusive worldwide agreement with DMP, in association with Big Deal Music, according to Patrick Clifford, VP, Music Publishing and A&R Nashville.
“We are so pleased and honored to be working with Steph and all of the great folks at Big Deal Music,” says Clifford. “Steph is and will be for many years a force to be reckoned with. Hang on to your hats!”
Jones, a St. Louis native, later moved to Austin, Texas, before settling in Nashville. In 2014, she co-wrote Hollywood Records artist Cole Plante‘s single “If I Fall” (and was a featured vocalist on the project under the name Ruby O’Dell). Jones also co-wrote Plante’s upcoming release “‘Til The Stars Burn Out,” as well as “Tell Me,” for Chuck Wicks.
Jones said, “I could not be more excited and honored to work with Disney and Big Deal. They each bring unique knowledge and experience to my career, and are some of the kindest people I know. This is going to be good. Really good.”

Industry Ink (7/25/14)

/by

Randi Lesnick

Randi Lesnick


Nashville-based Randi Events, led by founding CEO Randi Lesnick, has been named on of the 40 “Best High-end Luxury Event Planners” in the world by The International Man, an online portal that offers rankings and editorial on luxury goods and services. Randi Events is included on the list, along with David Tutera and Wolfgang Puck.
Randi Events’ exclusive client list has included Big Machine Records, Warner Bros. Records, General Mills, CAA, Beats, Samsung, AIG, and Enterprise Rent-A-Car.
“This honor means so much to me and my incredible staff, who work day and night to deliver the best service to our clients. ‘No’ is not an option for us at Randi Events. We strive to make the impossible…possible! And we appreciate International Man for recognizing that,” said Lesnick.

 • • •

Paul Jankowski

Paul Jankowski


Nashville-based Access Brand Strategies has re-branded as New Heartland Group. For more than 12 years, the agency has helped leading brands connect with U.S. customers who live in the New Heartland, an area composed of the Southwest, Midwest and parts of the Southeast. The area claims 13 of the top 20. U.S. cities, ranked by population.
Clients including Pepsi, Pizza Hut, Lipton and Mountain Dew have worked with New Heartland Group, which was founded by Paul Jankowski. Jankowski is the author of the upcoming book Speak American Too: Your Guide to Building Powerful Brands in the New Heartland. The agency recently partnered with Prince Market Research to conduct the first-ever consumer study regarding New Heartland vs. Non-New Heartland consumers. The research will be released in full on Sept. 16.

• • •

Kelly Symone

Kelly Symone

Kelly Symone has been hired as the new Director of Promotion & Marketing, West Coast at Nine North/Turnpike Music. Symone will begin in her new role on Friday, Aug. 1.

“I’m thrilled that a person of Kelly’s intelligence, background and skills is joining this team,” Nine North/Turnpike Music/Edgehill Nashville president Larry Pareigis said. “She will continue our seven-year tradition of being Nashville’s go-to virtual label for promotion, social media strategy & associated services to maximize exposure at Reporting and Indicator/Activator Country radio.”

Symone has previously worked as a radio personality at KBGY, KHYL, and KNTY. She has also worked with Quarterback, Blaster and HitShop Records as West Coat regional Director. Symone, who will continue to be based in Sacramento, can be reached at [email protected].

• • •

warner chappell logo1Warner/Chappell will take over Nashville’s Whiskey Jam in Loser’s parking lot on July 28. Hosted by Josh Hoge and Ward Guenther, the free, 21+ show will feature Native Run, Lauren Alaina, Michael Ray, William Michael Morgan, Brandon Lay, Sean McConnell, Drew Baldridge, and Runaway Saints.

Doors open at 5 p.m.