Big Yellow Dog Signs Guerreso, Hires DeVries

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Claire Guerro

Claire Guerreso


Singer-songwriter Claire Guerreso has signed with Big Yellow Dog Music. The Colorado native previously released three albums under the name The Little Bear, with Plastic 350 Records/Infinity Cat Records, with producer Robert Ellis Orrall. Most recently, her original song “Hide and Seek” was featured in the first season of CW series Reign.
Additionally, Big Yellow Dog Music has hired Devon DeVries as VP, Create-Film & TV/A&R. DeVries is a former professional wrestler and previously worked as Creative Director at Essential Publishing-PMG/Sony Music Entertainment. DeVries has worked in the Los Angeles offices of Paramount Pictures TV Music, as well as Extreme/Sony ATV.
Devon DeVries

Devon DeVries


“Devon’s unmatched enthusiasm rounds out our BYD team. He compliments our collective passion for songs and songwriters,” says Carla Wallace, BYD’s President and co-owner.

ASCAP Expo Welcomes Hit Writers, Publishers

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HOLLYWOOD, CA- APRIL 26: Desmond Child: Brought In for Questioning at the 2014 ASCAP EXPO at the Loews Hollywood Hotel on April 26, 2014 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Michael Underwood/PictureGroup)

Desmond Child and John Stamos on April 26, 2014 in Hollywood.


Photos by PictureGroup
The ASCAP “I Create Music” EXPO was held April 24-26 at the Loews Hollywood Hotel. The conference for songwriters, composers and producers of all genres of music, hosted speakers including Jimmy Jam, Dr. Luke and ASCAP’s Paul Williams. Master Sessions featured Jermaine Dupri, Amy Grant and more.
Desmond Child, who has hits by Katy Perry, Meatloaf, Bon Jovi, KISS and many others, was interviewed by John Stamos on the Brought In for Questioning panel. Child’s advice to those in the audience: “Understand what it means to be an artist, and try to find what you can give before you can get.” 
country-feedback-panel

Country Feedback panelists Joe Fisher, Jimmy Robbins and Michael Knox


SONGS Music Publishing’s Tom DeSavia moderated the Getting Creative: How Publishers and Writers Work Together panel featuring Sony/ATV’s Jennifer Knoepfle, Combustion Music’s Chris Farren, BMG’s Andrew Gould, Universal Music Publishing’s Jessica Rivera and Warner/Chappell’s Greg Sowders. The session addressed the changing role of the publisher, the importance of writing songs that listeners find relatable, and songwriters staying focused.
LeAnn Phelan, the Senior Director of ASCAP in Nashville, led a Country Feedback panel featuring UMG Nashville A&R exec Joe Fisher, producer Michael Knox and hit writer Jimmy Robbins.
GettingCreative-620

Backstage at the Getting Creative panel (l-r): Greg Sowders, Jessica Rivera, Chris Farren, Jennifer Knoepfle, Tom DeSavia, Andrew Gould


ASCAP Nashville songwriter Shane McAnally also took part in the Expo’s closing “The Writers Jam” performance panel.

Pictured (L-R): Beth Orton, Shane McAnally, Julie Frost, Crystal Nicole and Desmond Child.

Pictured (L-R): Beth Orton, Shane McAnally, Julie Frost, Crystal Nicole and Desmond Child.

Kobalt Unveils YouTube Matching Technology ProKlaim

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kobalt
As royalties from YouTube continue rising, music publishers and record labels continue identifying opportunities to garner a portion of the payments. Kobalt Music Group has launched ProKlaim, a detection technology that identifies and claims copyrights being used in user-generated videos.
The company states that ProKlaim has matched more than 50 million videos and 1 billion YouTube streams per month.
“Our mission has always been to help artists and songwriters maximize their digital revenue,” said Willard Ahdritz, Founder and CEO of Kobalt Music Group. “Our technical integration with YouTube now allows us to do that in a groundbreaking way. We’ve been able to deliver 100 percent of Kobalt’s eligible catalog to YouTube with an extended range of high quality metadata for each song that enables much faster, more efficient content matching and reporting. It also enables us to deliver daily-automated feeds of updated new, claimed and blocked content to ensure we are quickly resolving any rights conflicts for our clients.”

Bobby Huff Inks Publishing Deal

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Combustion Music, along with co-partners Warner-Chappell and Disney Music Publishing, has added Bobby Huff to its songwriting roster.
The Indiana native has production and writing credits with 3 Doors Down, Papa Roach, Shinedown, Jason Castro, Electric Touch and others. Huff also produced a full-length project for Tim Finn, which included the song “Winter Light,” featured in The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe.

Pictured are (L-R): Seated - Combustion Music's Chris Van Belkom, Bobby Huff, Disney Music Publishing's Patrick Clifford. Standing - Attorney Jim Zumwalt, Disney's Ciara Gardner, Warner Chappell Music Publishing's Ben Vaughn, Combustion's Chris Farren and Kenley Flynn.

Pictured are (L-R): Seated – Combustion Music’s Chris Van Belkom, Bobby Huff, Disney Music Publishing’s Patrick Clifford. Standing – Attorney Jim Zumwalt, Disney’s Ciara Gardner, Warner Chappell Music Publishing’s Ben Vaughn, Combustion’s Chris Farren and Kenley Flynn.

Industry Ink (4/29/14)

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Montine Felso

Montine Felso


Warner Music Group publicist Montine Felso has left WMN to return to California. No replacement has been named at this time. Felso can be reached at 213-952-2157 or at [email protected].

                                         • • •

jeff brown111

Jeff Brown

Cumulus Media has appointed Jeff Brown as Sr. VP, Cumulus Corporate. Brown will oversee regional operations in 26 Cumulus markets. He will report to Exec. VP Jon Pinch. Brown previously served as VP and Market Manager for Cumulus/Atlanta. Prior to his work with Cumulus, Brown spent 15 years with Entercom Communications, with posts in Boston, Portland and Norfolk.

        • • •

The Copyright Society of the South‘s monthly member luncheon welcomed Michael Huppe, CEO and President of SoundExchange. Huppe discussed top issues facing content owners including the federal copyright protection for pre-1972 sound recordings, the underpayment suit against SiriusXM, and performance rights for AM/FM radio domestically.

Pictured (L-R): Copyright Society of the South Treasurer, Denise Stevens; Chairman, John Barker; Michael Huppe of SoundExchange; Copyright Society of the South Vice Chairman, Jill Napier and board member Karl Braun. Photo: Kathryn Graham

Pictured (L-R): Copyright Society of the South Treasurer, Denise Stevens; Chairman, John Barker; Michael Huppe of SoundExchange; Copyright Society of the South Vice Chairman, Jill Napier and board member Karl Braun. Photo: Kathryn Graham

Nettwerk One Music/Revelry Music Group Signs Fiorentino

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Pictured (L-R): AJ Burton (Nettwerk/Revelry), Shannan Hatch (SESAC), Mike Fiorentino, Greg Beeckman (Revelry), Mark Jowett (Nettwerk).

Pictured (L-R): AJ Burton (Nettwerk/Revelry), Shannan Hatch (SESAC), Mike Fiorentino, Greg Beeckman (Revelry), Mark Jowett (Nettwerk).


Nettwerk One Music/Revelry Music Group has signed Nashville-based singer-songwriter Mike Fiorentino to its roster. Nettwerk’s roster currently includes Jessie Jo Dillon, Neil Mason (The Cadillac Three) and Archertown.
Nettwerk/Revelry’s AJ Burton says, “I’ve worked with Mike for the past two years and watched him grow as a songwriter and producer. The timing could not be better to officially bring him into our growing family.”
The Tampa, Fla. native moved to Nashville in 2007. In 2013, he co-founded The Tennessee Recording Company (an independent record label/production team) with longtime friend/collaborator Kyle Cook (Matchbox 20 guitarist).
Fiorentino recently began collaborating with Average Joes Entertainment production team, Phivestarr, writing for both Bubba Sparxxx and Colt Ford’s forthcoming albums.

ole Adds Foster as Sr. Director, Creative Licensing

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foster1111

Randall Foster


ole has hired Randall Foster as Sr. Director of Creative Licensing. Foster will be based in Nashville and will join ole’s Synchronization & Licensing department, where he will report to COO Lou Ragagnin.
“Foster is an excellent addition to the ole team, and we’re thrilled to have him join our already successful operation,” said Robert Ott, Chairman and CEO of ole. “With his extensive experience in digital media, digital music, DRM, music licensing, music publishing, and production, Foster is ideally suited to handle anything that may come his way in our Synchronization & Licensing department. We’re confident that he will be able to land high-quality placements for our artists and writers and ensure that they are paid fairly for the use of their work.”
Foster’s career began at MTV Latin America, where he worked in licensing and copyright clearance. He transitioned to Naxos of America in July 2005, working his way to Director of Licensing and Business Development manager. He also launched the imprint record label Naxos Wind Band Classics, working as Label Manager and overseeing A&R.

Publishing News: Capitol CMG, Demolition Music Publishing

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Capitol CMG Music Publishing hosted a writers night at SoulShine Pizza Wednesday, April 23. The evening featured songwriters including Ben Glover, Jeff Pardo, Nicole Witt, and Fred Wilhelm.

Pictured (L-R): Stacey Willbur, Jeff Pardo, Ben Glover, Nicole Witt and Fred Wilhelm.

Pictured (L-R): Stacey Willbur, Jeff Pardo, Ben Glover, Nicole Witt and Fred Wilhelm.

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Newly inaugurated publishing house Demolition, located at 1229 17th Ave. S., marked its opening day by signing its first two songwriters, Adam Searan and Jason Eustice.
New York/New Jersey songwriter and attorney Jon D’Agostino launched Demolition Music Publishing after moving to Nashville more than 10 years ago to seek a career in music and songwriting.

Pictured, (L-R): Adam Searan and Jason Eustice sign contracts on the first official day of business for Demolition Music Publishing, Nashville, during a meeting with songwriter Jon D’Agostino, the firm’s president and CEO.

Pictured, (L-R): Adam Searan and Jason Eustice sign contracts on the first official day of business for Demolition Music Publishing, Nashville, during a meeting with songwriter Jon D’Agostino, the firm’s president and CEO.

Industry Ink (4/24/14)

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Universal Music Publishing Group’s newest up and coming songwriter, Ryan Hurd, performed at Nashville restaurant the Tin Roof yesterday, April 23, for UMPG’s Spring Break Event. Hurd performed several new, uncut songs and a few that have been recently recorded, including “Payback” (Rascal Flatts) and “Later On” (The Swon Brothers).

Ryan Hurd celebrates after a performance at Nashville's Tin Roof.

Ryan Hurd celebrates after a performance at Nashville’s Tin Roof.

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crawfish boil111Music industry organization SOLID (Society of Leaders in Development) will hold its 17th annual Crawfish Boil, a free networking event for music industry leaders and those interested in working in the music industry.
The Crawfish Boil will take place Wed., May 14 from 5:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m. at SESAC Nashville’s parking lot, located at 66 Music Sq. W. in Nashville.

 • • •

Pictured (L-R): The Mastersons (Chris Masterson and Eleanor Whitmore), Kasey Chambers, Steve Earle with Austrialia Americana Advisory Group members Brian Taranto and Jeremy Dylan

Pictured (L-R): The Mastersons (Chris Masterson and Eleanor Whitmore), Kasey Chambers, Steve Earle with Australia Americana Advisory Group members Brian Taranto and Jeremy Dylan


Kasey Chambers, Steve Earle and the Mastersons (Chris Masterson and Eleanor Whitmore) recently met with Americana Advisory Group members Brian Taranto and Jeremy Dylan at Sydney, Australia’s Enmore Theatre.
The Australia Americana Advisory Group was formed earlier this month to create awareness of the genre in and foster two-way street opportunities for artists from Australia and North America. The group is comprised of Taranto (Love Police), Marty Jones (Rhythm Magazine), Dylan (Seven Shells Media), Dan Biddle (TCO Artists) and Dobe Newton (Bushwhackers, CMAA President). Nashville-based Australian producer and AMA Board President Mark Moffatt will chair the group.
“We are honored for the support that Kasey and Steve have given our organization over the years,” says Moffatt, “and thrilled they are willing to wave the flag of Americana on their current tour.”

 • • •

CMT_BLACK_WHITE111CMT Casting will come to Nashville this summer, seeking outgoing and entertaining characters for a variety of CMT programs. A CMT open casting call will be held at Nashville’s Paradise Park Bar, located at 411 Broadway, on June 5 and June 6. The casting call will be an all-day event.

Interested parties that cannot make open casting dates can register at cmtcasting.com. For more information, contact [email protected] or call 310-752-8556.

 

Warner/Chappell Music Signs Co-Pub Deal With Joyce

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Jay Joyce. Photo: CJ Hicks

Jay Joyce. Photo: CJ Hicks


Warner/Chappell Music has signed a worldwide co-publishing agreement with songwriter and producer Jay Joyce. Joyce has written and produced artists including Eric Church, Little Big Town, Keith Urban, Emmylou Harris, Cage The Elephant and The Wallflowers.
Warner/Chappell has also signed a co-publishing agreement with Joyce’s newly established publishing company Neon Cross. The two companies will jointly sign and develop writers and artists across multiple genres.
Neon Cross recently appointed Melissa Spillman, formerly in A&R with Capitol Records Nashville, as Director of Publishing. She can be reached at [email protected].
“I am thrilled to team up with such a storied and progressive group, and am looking forward to a long prosperous journey together,” said Joyce.
Ben Vaughn, Executive Vice President, Warner/Chappell Music Nashville, said, “Wow—getting to work with Jay Joyce is a music lover’s dream come true. His talent cuts across all genres of music and he is the definition of a music innovator. It’s a real honor to welcome Jay and Melissa into the family.”
Church’s latest, The Outsiders, debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200. Cage the Elephant’s single “Come a Little Closer” (from Melophobia) reached No. 1 on both the Rock Airplay and Alternative Songs charts. Beyond songwriting and producing, Joyce is also credited as a musician on a wide array of recordings by artists ranging from Iggy Pop to Tim McGraw.
Joyce’s most recent project is St. Charles Studio, an East Nashville church that he converted into a recording studio. That space is where he has recorded albums by Amos Lee, The Wild Feathers, and Church’s The Outsiders.