Black River Publishing Renews Contract With Whitehead

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Pictured L-R: Celia Froehlig, Vice President of Black River Publishing; Forest Glen Whitehead; Gordon Kerr, CEO of Black River Entertainment

Pictured (L-R): Celia Froehlig, Vice President of Black River Publishing; Forest Glen Whitehead; Gordon Kerr, CEO of Black River Entertainment


Black River Publishing has announced the contract renewal of hit songwriter/producer Forest Glen Whitehead. Since originally signing with Black River, Whitehead has co-written two singles, “Makin’ This Boy Go Crazy,” recorded by Curb/Sidewalk recording artist Dylan Scott, and “Ball Cap,” recorded by Black River’s Glen Templeton. He also has a penned song on Brantley Gilbert’s new album Just As I Am called “Lights of My Hometown.”
Forest is currently producing Black River’s Kelsea Ballerini as well as co-producing Dylan Scott along with Jim Ed Norman.

Industry Ink (5/22/14)

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Derrick Hampton

Derrick Hampton


Brentwood-based Studio Gold Music, Inc. has signed Derrick Hampton to a new Publishing and Promotional deal. The Georgia native’s music has appeared in television shows including The Middle and Glades. He is a two-time Georgia State Championship in the Country Showdown, and won the 2011 NSAI/CMT Listener’s Choice Award with the song “Angie’s List,” co-written with David Banning.
He was chosen by ASCAP to be one of 11 songwriters accepted into their inaugural GPS (Guidance from Publishers for Songwriters) Program.
“We are so proud to have Derrick join the Studio Gold Music family. Derrick is very well known in his home state of Georgia, where he has opened for the likes of Daryle Singletary, The Drifters, Jerry Clower and many others. He has also played out at venues here in Nashville, including being invited to play several times at the world-famous Bluebird Cafe. His writing skills are phenomenal, and he takes such great care with his song structure. He is a pro, and a real pleasure to work with,” Mike Mouret, President of Studio Gold Music, said.

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ryman auditorium11Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium has been awarded the Certificate of Excellence award from travel website TripAdvisor.
The award honors hospitality excellence, and is given to establishments that consistently achieve outstanding reviews on TripAdvisor, and is extended to qualifying businesses worldwide.

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omnivore1Omnivore Entertainment Group, a music company dedicated to preserving historical, heritage and catalog music, has formed Omnivore Music Publishing.
Founded in 2010 by Cheryl Pawelski, Greg Allen, Dutch Cramblitt and Brad Rosenberger, Omnivore Recordings has become the sought-after place for releasing previously unissued, newly found “lost” recordings and catalog material.
Spearheaded by Brad Rosenberger, formerly of Warner/Chappell Music, Omnivore’s Music Publishing division has joined forces worldwide with SWside Songs.

Tina Parol Signs With Sony/ATV Publishing, Love Monkey Music

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SESAC songwriter Tina Parol has signed with Sony/ATV Publishing and Love Monkey Music for exclusive representation. Parol has had cuts with pop singer Britney Spears and Country band Natalie Stovall and The Drive.
Parol recently stopped by Sony/ATV in Nashville to celebrate.

Pictured (L-R): Love Monkey Music’s Drew Hale, Sony/ATV’s Terry Wakefield, Hall of Fame songwriter Bob DiPiero, Parol, AAM Manager Leslie T. DiPiero, SESAC’s John Mullins & Dennis Lord and Love Monkey Music’s Emily Peacock.

Pictured (L-R): Love Monkey Music’s Drew Hale, Sony/ATV’s Terry Wakefield, Hall of Fame songwriter/Love Monkey’s Bob DiPiero, Parol, AAM Manager Leslie T. DiPiero, SESAC’s John Mullins & Dennis Lord and Love Monkey Music’s Emily Peacock.

Audiam Expands To Music Services

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audiamAudiam, which has long worked with YouTube, has expanded its reach to include many music services so that music publishers can find their copyrights being performed and received payments. Audiam is now on Spotify, Google Play, iTunes Match and more (see full list below).
Audiam’s proprietary music database technology finds and cross references all necessary music meta-data required by music services to identify and administer all earned and un-allocated royalties regardless of origin, format, or country.
Jeff Price CEO/Founder of Audiam says, “The trick to finding and collecting money in the new digital music industry is matching metadata points, database architecture and copyright law. The existing mess of missing and bad data has misallocated or stopped the payment of hundreds of millions of dollars owed to music publishers and artists. By fixing this problem, we are able to find, unlock and administer huge amounts of money our customers would otherwise not have gotten, all while removing liability for the new music services.”
Audiam was founded and is led by TuneCore founders Price, Peter Wells and former TuneCore CTO David Willen.
List of Additional Music Services:
Interactive Streaming
Rdio
Microsoft Xbox
Spotify
Deezer
Rhapsody
Beats Music
MySpace
Medianet
7digital
Google Play
Guvera
Nokia
Sony Music Unlimited
Verve life
Scan & Match
Google Scan & Match
Amazon Scan & Match
Apple Scan & Match
Miscellaneous
iTunes Radio
Amazon Prime
Muve Music (aka Cricket)

Songwriter News (5/21/14)

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On Monday, May 19, UMPG Nashville gathered their new songwriters and artists to celebrate their firsts in style at Arrington Vineyards. Since last fall, 13 UMPG writers garnered their first cut, single, film/television synch or record deal.
Reflecting upon their success, Kent Earls, UMPG Nashville EVP/GM, said, “Early success for songwriters is very difficult to achieve, for 13 of our new writers to land a major label cut is a testament to the caliber of talent that we have signed at UMPG. Furthermore, it shows the commitment and work ethic of the UMPG staff to foster, develop and market our writing staff. I’m excited to see what the future holds for each of these young writers and artists.”

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Songwriters celebrate at Arrington Vineyards.

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Jeffrey Steele

Jeffrey Steele

Jeffrey Steele and the Circus will perform Friday, June 6 at Nashville’s 3rd & Lindsley. Doors will open at 5 p.m. with the event beginning at 6 p.m.

Among his many accolades, Steele has been named to the Nashville Songwriter’s Hall of Fame (2013), awarded BMI Songwriter of the Year (2007 and 2003) and the Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI) Songwriter of the Year (2006, 2005 and 2003). CMA has twice awarded him the coveted “Triple Play Award” for three No. 1 songs in a year (2010 & 2007). For more information and tickets, visit 3rdandlindsley.com.

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Ashley Monroe performed Saturday, May 17 at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum’s weekly Songwriter Session.

The program was presented in support of the new exhibit Miranda Lambert: Backstage Access which opened May 16.

Pictured (L-R): Crush Management’s John Grady, Public Program Manager Abi Tapia, Monroe and Director of Education and Public Programs Ali Tonn. Photo: Rick Diamond, Getty Images

Pictured (L-R): Crush Management’s John Grady, Public Program Manager Abi Tapia, Monroe and Director of Education and Public Programs Ali Tonn. Photo: Rick Diamond, Getty Images

Publishing Signings (5/20/14)

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sonya issacs yeary111Warner/Chappell Music has signed a worldwide publishing agreement with Sonya Isaacs Yeary, songwriter, vocalist and mandolin player for legendary gospel group The Isaacs.
While with Disney’s former country label Lyric Street Records, the singer-songwriter began writing songs and has had her work recorded by artists such as Trisha Yearwood, LeAnn Rimes, Vince Gill, gospel artists Jason Crabb, Mark Lowry and the Gaither Vocal Band and Martina McBride whose hit “I’m Gonna Love You Through It,” ranked No. 1 on MusicRow’s Country Breakout Singles chart.

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 The Song Farm has entered into catalog representation and world administration agreements with Dan Hodges Music. The Song Farm has signed TW Hale, who has penned songs for Reba, Randy Travis, Martina McBride and others. The Song Farm is located at 1010B 16th Ave. S.

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Curb Music Publishing Re-signs Kyle Jacobs

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Pictured left to right: Drew Alexander - VP of Curb Publishing, Mike Curb - Founder of Curb Records, Kyle Jacobs, Colt Cameron - Sr. Creative Director, Curb Publishing

Pictured (L-R): Drew Alexander – VP of Curb Publishing, Mike Curb – Founder of Curb Records, Kyle Jacobs, Colt Cameron – Sr. Creative Director, Curb Publishing.


Curb Music Publishing has re-signed songwriter Kyle Jacobs to its roster. During his time as a Curb Music Publishing writer, Jacobs has penned songs for Eli Young Band (“Dust”) and Jerrod Niemann (“Donkey”). Other artists to benefit from Jacobs’ compositions include Tim McGraw, Lee Brice, Kenny Chesney, George Strait, Kelly Clarkson, Thompson Square, Scotty McCreery, Trace Adkins, Craig Morgan and Garth Brooks (“More Than A Memory”).
Jacobs moved to Nashville in 2000; in 2003, Jacobs’ song “8th World Wonder” became a breakthrough hit for American Idol contestant Kimberly Locke.
He soon met fellow songwriter (and artist in his own right) Lee Brice. “Meeting Lee was a big deal,” Jacobs says. “Writing with Lee helped me realize that Country music is the most free world I can write in. I can write about God, I can write about drinking, I can rock it or I can bring it back a little bit. Musically I can be creative and it’s a huge world lyrically. He helped me discover that.
“I love writing pop melodies and putting a country lyric on it with a country voice,” he continues. “It’s just cool how it comes out. I love challenging myself musically.”

Industry Ink (5/19/14)

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Nashville was well represented at SESAC’s Pop Awards held earlier this month at the historic New York Public Library.
Laura Heatherly, T. J. Martell’s Chief Executive Officer, joined SESAC executives and T.J. Martell board members Ellen Truley and Dennis Lord on the event red carpet prior to the awards dinner which honored top songwriters and publishers in the Pop, Urban and Rock music genres.
The event drew over 450 writers, publishers and other music industry members.

Pictured (L-R): Ellen Truley, SESAC’s Vice President, Corporate Relations, Laura Heatherly, T.J. Martell’s Chief Executive Officer and Dennis Lord, SESAC’s Executive Vice President. Photo: Shawn Ehlers

Pictured (L-R): Ellen Truley, SESAC’s Vice President, Corporate Relations; Laura Heatherly, T.J. Martell’s Chief Executive Officer; Dennis Lord, SESAC’s Executive Vice President. Photo: Shawn Ehlers

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live nation logo111Live Nation Entertainment, Inc., has announced plans to offer $250 million aggregate principal amount of convertible senior notes due 2019 (the “Convertible Notes”) and $250 million aggregate principal amount of senior notes dues 2022 (the “Senior Notes”). The company intends to use the net proceeds from the offerings to redeem, in the near future, all of its outstanding 2.875 percent Convertible Senior Notes due 2027 in order to pay related fees and expenses, to reinvest in the company’s business and for corporate purposes, including potential acquisitions.
The company is expected to grant the initial purchasers a 30-day option to purchase an additional $25 million aggregate principal amount of such Convertible notes to cover over-allotments, if any.

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Screen shot 2014-05-19 at 10.03.44 AM111The Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum’s Words & Music, is celebrating 35 years of connecting school children with professional songwriters. On May 21, singer-songwriter Elizabeth Cook will host 2014’s invitation-only event, which begins at 6 p.m. in the CMHoF’s Ford Theater.
“Education is our primary mission, and Words & Music is what that mission looks like in action,” said Kyle Young, museum director. “Nearly 100,000 students have passed through the program since its inception. Over the past three and a half decades, we have only seen demand and excitement for Words & Music grow—proof that this unique interdisciplinary language arts program is more relevant today than ever. We couldn’t be prouder of this unique course we’ve developed, which embodies our commitment not only to our beloved Nashville, but to the entire global learning community.”

Big Machine Music Teams With Inc. Magazine For GrowCo Conference

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Screen shot 2014-05-16 at 2.38.25 PM111111Big Machine Music has partnered with Inc. magazine for its annual Grow Your Company Conference in Nashville (slated for May 20-22 at the Omni Nashville Hotel). Big Machine Music artists and songwriters including Rascal Flatts’ Joe Don Rooney, as well as singer-songwriters Jonathan Singleton, Dustin Lynch, Josh Thompson, Greg Bates, Maddie & Tae, and Courtney Cole are slated to appear during the conference.
BMM will be branded as a sponsor throughout the conference in addition to showcasing how attendees can enlist BMM for original or licensed music for their company’s branding and commercial initiatives. BMM recently created original music content for companies and brands such as General Mills and Crown Royal.
“We believe songwriters are just as much entrepreneurs as anyone, especially in Nashville,” said BMM Vice President Mike Molinar. “Inc. magazine is dedicated to covering the most business-savvy and creative companies of our generation and we are ecstatic to align Big Machine Music alongside them. We look forward to showcasing our incredible songwriters and uncovering opportunities to partner with those companies in attendance.”
BMLG President and CEO Scott Borchetta will speak to a select group of business leaders on behalf of Capital One – another sponsor of GROWCO. He joins additional conference speakers including Dallas Mavericks’ owner Mark Cuban and Papa John’s CEO John Schnatter.

MusicRowPics: Heather Morgan Honored with MusicRow Challenge Coin

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Pictured (L-R): MusicRow Chart Director Troy Stephenson and songwriter Heather Morgan. Photo: Kelsey Grady

Pictured (L-R): MusicRow Chart Director Troy Stephenson and songwriter Heather Morgan. Photo: Kelsey Grady


Heather Morgan, a co-writer behind Sara Evans‘ recent MusicRow chart-topper (for the week of April 24) “Slow Me Down,” visited the MusicRow office Wednesday (May 14) to be honored with her own MusicRow Challenge Coin.
Over the years, challenge coins have marked significant occasions and commemorated outstanding individuals. Continuing that tradition, the MusicRow Challenge Coin honors songwriters and artists whose compositions top the MusicRow CountryBreakout chart.
“Slow Me Down” was penned by Morgan, along with co-writers (and fellow MusicRow Challenge Coin honorees) Jimmy Robbins and Marv Green. The writing session for “Slow Me Down” was the first time Texas native Morgan had co-written with Green and Robbins together.
“Jimmy does such amazing tracks and he had this amazing guitar part,” Morgan said. “Marv had this line about ‘Hurry Up and Slow Me Down’ that he had held onto for a while, and Jimmy started playing a really cool guitar line. I started singing ‘If you let this train roll down these tracks,’ and Jimmy commented that those lines sounded like a second verse. So it was very collaborative, and it was like this little tornado started. It took an hour or so to write. Marv had to leave and I was singing the demo and we thought, ‘We like this.’ Someone at Sony played it for Sara and she liked it.”
Publishers on the track include Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp., The Good The Bad The Ugly Publishing, Made for This Music, Sony/ATV Tree Publishing, Universal Music Corp./Extraordinary Alien Publishing.
For a full list of MusicRow Challenge Coin recipients, visit musicrow.com.
Pictured (L-R): MusicRow's Kelsey Grady, Eric Parker, and Troy Stephenson; songwriter Heather Morgan; MusicRow's Jessica Nicholson and Sarah Skates.

Pictured (L-R): MusicRow‘s Kelsey Grady, Eric Parker, and Troy Stephenson; songwriter Heather Morgan; MusicRow‘s Jessica Nicholson and Sarah Skates.