Creative Nation Opens Office on Music Row

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Nashville music publishing and management company Creative Nation has opened its doors in a new location on Music Row. Helmed by Luke and Beth Laird, Creative Nation represents artists Maggie Chapman and Native Run, as well as songwriters Barry Dean and Luke Laird. The new office is located at 1508 16th Ave S, Nashville, TN 37212.

Luke Laird has notched 14 No. 1 songs for artists including Tim McGraw, Kacey Musgraves, Little Big Town, and Blake Shelton. He recently earned a Grammy award for his producing work on Musgraves’ debut project, Same Trailer, Different Park. In 2013, Beth Laird earned the prestigious honor of being named one of MusicRow‘s Rising Women on the Row. Her music publishing experience includes time at BMG Music Publishing, Windswept Music Publishing, and work in writer/publisher relations at BMI.
For more information, visit creativenationmusic.com.

'Horton Hears A Hit' Pub Crawl Brings Artists, Publishers

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In a popular remix of the the classic music pub crawl, Nashville publishing companies hosted their own Horton Hears A Hit “pub crawl” for artists searching for hit material. On Tuesday, March 11, artists including Josh Turner, Tyler Farr and Rodney Atkins traveled to several Music Row publishing companies for listening sessions, followed by an afterparty at Winners, where each publishing company had a writer performing as part of a writers’ round.
Publishing companies that took part included Amylase Entertainment, Big Machine Music, Little Louder, Liz Rose Music, Ole, Sea Gayle, and Wrensong.

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Pictured (L-R): Jonathan Singleton, Trevor Rosen and Dave Turnbull perform for Horton Hears A Hit


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Pictured (L-R): Ted Greene, Trevor Rosen, Frank Rogers, Ree Guyer Buchanan, Christina Mitchell, Josh Turner


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Pictured (L-R): Taylor Lindsey, Maurna Donovan, Ree Guyer Buchanan, Tyler Farr, Christina Mitchell, Jim Catino.


Pictured (L-R): Lynn Hutton, Joel Shewmake, Erin Enderlin, Corey Crowder.

Pictured (L-R): Lynn Hutton, Joel Shewmake, Erin Enderlin, Corey Crowder.


 
 

Bluewater Music Inks Deal With NEEDTOBREATHE

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needtobreathe1111Nashville-based Bluewater Music has inked a worldwide administration agreement with South Carolina rock band, NEEDTOBREATHE. The band includes members Bear Rinehart, Bo Rinehart and Seth Bolt. Signed to Atlantic since 2005, the band has released four studio albums, and opened for Taylor Swift‘s Speak Now Tour.
In April, the group will release their fifth studio album, Rivers In The Wasteland. Their music has been played in the movies and television programs P.S. I Love You, When In Rome, Hart of Dixie and Desperate Housewives.
“We’re big fans of NEEDTOBREATHE here at Bluewater” says Chief Operating Officer, Peter Roselli. “We plan to continue adding value to their outstanding group of catalogs with creative placements as well as our direct, at-the-source licensing and royalty collections.”

Industry Pics (3/11/14)

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Radio personality Gerry House made his Grand Ole Opry debut on Friday, March 7. After his performance, House signed copies of his new book, Country Music Broke My Brain: A Behind-The-Microphone Peek At Nashville’s Famous & Fabulous Stars.

Pictured (L-R): Gerry House and Pete Fisher

Pictured (L-R): Gerry House and Grand Ole Opry Vice President and General Manager Pete Fisher. Photo: Chris Hollo

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The first annual Mangia for St. Jude took place Sunday, March 2, raising $18,600 for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. The dinner at the Cool Cafe in Franklin was attended by more than 100 members of the Nashville music publishing community. The evening was sponsored by Fifth Third Music.

Pictured (Back row, L-R): Greg Gallo, Alex Heddle, Penny Everhard, Kendall Lettow, Dave Pacula Missy Wilson, Stephanie Cox, Courtney Crist, Kevin Lamb, Brad Peterson. (Front row, L-R): Colt Cameron, Jackie Profit, Carrie Gallo, Jessica Turri, Teri Watson and Allison Buchignani

Pictured (Back row, L-R): Greg Gallo, Alex Heddle, Penny Everhard, Kendall Lettow, Dave Pacula, Missy Wilson, Stephanie Cox, Freeman Wizer, Courtney Crist, Kevin Lamb, Brad Peterson. (Front row, L-R): Colt Cameron, Jackie Profit, Carrie Gallo, Jessica Turri, Teri Watson and Allison Buchignani.

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The 10th Annual Ringside: A Fight For Kids gala was held at Liberty Hall in the Factory at Franklin on Friday, March 7. The main event featured a “Rumble on the Row” bout with Van Haze (VP National Promotion, MCA Nashville) and “Sugar” Shane Allen (VP Promotion, UMG Nashville) squaring off in the ring. Haze won the coveted Lucchese belt in a split decision.
Proceeds from the event will benefit The Charley Foundation, which helps charitable organizations benefit children throughout Middle Tennessee.

Pictured (L-R): Jay Hamby, Director of Retail, Lucchese; Van Haze; and Kristy Landers Niedenfuer, 2014 Miss Tennessee USA.Photo: Karen Will Rogers

Pictured (L-R): Jay Hamby, Director of Retail, Lucchese; Van Haze; and Kristy Landers Niedenfuer, 2014 Miss Tennessee USA. Photo: Karen Will Rogers.

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The Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum recently honored Leon Rhodes in its quarterly series Nashville Cats: A Celebration of Music City Musicians. Rhodes was a member of the 1960s lineup of Ernest Tubb’s Texas Troubadours. He is also featured on recordings by Julie Andrews, Roy Clark, John Denver, George Jones, Loretta Lynn, Roy Orbison and Dottie West, among others.

Pictured (L-R): Bill Lloyd (program host), Leon Rhodes and Jay Orr (Senior Director of Research, Editorial and Content). Photo: Donn Jones

Pictured (L-R): Bill Lloyd (program host), Leon Rhodes and Jay Orr (Senior Director of Research, Editorial and Content). Photo: Donn Jones

Warner/Chappell Music Signs Aimee Mayo

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Aimee Mayo

Aimee Mayo


Warner/Chappell Music (WCM), the music publishing arm of Warner Music Group, has signed a worldwide publishing agreement with chart-topping songwriter and former BMI Songwriter of the Year Aimee Mayo.
“Warner/Chappell already feels like home,” said Mayo. “To me, energy is everything, and I am beyond excited to be surrounded by such an innovative and inspiring team. I look forward to celebrating lots of monster smash hits together and I’m honored to be part of such a long lineage of legendary songwriters.”
Ben Vaughn, Executive Vice President, Warner/Chappell Music Nashville, said, “Aimee Mayo is a creative force of nature. I’ve always been impressed with her passion, drive, and creativity. On behalf of the A&R team we couldn’t be happier to have her join the Warner/Chappell family and look forward to helping bring her songs to life.”
Mayo has penned songs for Tim McGraw, Kenny Chesney, Faith Hill, Sara Evans, and Carrie Underwood, as well as pop artists including Backstreet Boys, Jessica Simpson, and Adam Lambert.
Mayo was honored with the Academy of Country Music’s Song of the Year, BMI’s Song of the Year, and the NSAI Song of the Year awards for Lonestar‘s “Amazed.” The song also garnered her a Grammy nomination.
Mayo lives in Nashville with her husband and co-writer, Chris Lindsey, and their three children.

NMG Nashville Names Director of Publishing

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AJ Burton


Nettwerk Music Group (NMG) has named AJ Burton as Director Of Publishing, NMG Nashville, to expand the presence of NMG’s publishing division, Nettwerk One (NW1).
Nettwerk’s relationship with Burton began in 2011, with the initiation of a partnership between NW1 and Revelry Music Group, an independent Nashville publishing company co-founded by Burton. Through the joint venture, NW1 and Revelry signed several Nashville writers, like Neil Mason and Jessie Jo Dillon. In his new roll with Nettwerk, Burton will seek new writing talent, as well as opportunities for current NW1 clients in Nashville.
“I’m thrilled to have AJ join the Nettwerk team,” says Nettwerk’s Blair McDonald. “He’s been a great partner to us through our joint venture with Revelry Music Group, and I look forward to working closely with him to develop our own roster of talented Nashville songwriters.”
Says Burton, “It’s been a fantastic 3+ years working closely with the Nettwerk staff. I am honored to have this opportunity to build Nettwerk’s Nashville presence and to continue my responsibilities with our shared Nettwerk/Revelry writers and artists.”

Jesse Willoughby Joins Kobalt

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Jesse Willoughby

Jesse Willoughby


Kobalt Neighbouring Rights (KNR) has appointed Jesse Willoughby Business Development Manager. He will represent KNR in the US, managing and further developing relationships with existing clients, as well as identifying and adding new clients to the KNR roster.
Based in LA, he will report to KNR’s Managing Director Ann Tausis in London.
Willoughby brings with him over eight years of experience in performing rights from his various roles at ASCAP. Most recently he was Director for the pop/rock membership and, prior to that, Associate Director for the Nashville membership.
Tausis said of the appointment, “We’re happy to welcome Jesse to the Kobalt family. His experience in the performing rights sector, and particularly in relationship management, will be hugely valuable as we look to take KNR further forward in the US – a market which is notably more complex when it comes to Neighbouring Rights.”
Willoughby added, “I’m very excited to have the opportunity of joining a company with the global impact of Kobalt. The reputation of the company precedes it, and I look forward to being part of the KNR team and contributing to its ongoing success.”
Based in London, Kobalt Neighbouring Rights is a separate limited company operating as part of the Kobalt Music Group.

Writer’s Den Signs Salley

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(Seated L-R): John Rolfe, Writer’s Den attorney; Jerry Salley; Bobby Rymer, Writer’s Den partner. (Standing L-R): Writer’s Den writers Ben Cooper, Melissa Fuller and Thom Schuyler

The Writer’s Den Music Group has signed singer-songwriter Jerry Salley to a worldwide publishing agreement. Salley’s songs have enjoyed more than 360 cuts by Reba, Toby Keith, Brad Paisley and Joe Nichols, among others.

“I’ve had the good fortune of knowing Jerry Salley for a lot of years but have never had the great fortune of working with him until now,” said Writer’s Den partner Bobby Rymer. “My belief in his talent is unquestioned and I’m looking forward to a lot of fun times for the both of us.”
In addition to previously winning SESAC’s Country Music Songwriter of the Year, Salley wrote “Where We Both Say Goodbye,” Sir Elton John’s only single to appear on Billboard’s Country Chart, and the popular Gospel song “His Strength Is Perfect.” Salley also released his acclaimed Bluegrass album New Songs, Old Friends in 2007. His more recent project is titled Showing My Age.
Salley will perform during Tin Pan South Songwriter’s Festival at Nashville’s Station Inn on Thursday, March 27 at 9 p.m. For more information, visit jerrysalley.com.

BMG Chrysalis Signs Barnes

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BMG Chrysalis has signed recording artist, songwriter and performer Dave Barnes. His solo-written No. 1 song “God Gave Me You” was recorded by Blake Shelton and has garnered both CMA and GRAMMY nominations for Country Song of the Year.
Barnes has also had songs recorded by Billy Currington, Tim McGraw, Danielle Bradbery, as well as the No. 1 single “All That I Can Do,” recorded by Bethany Dillon. His eighth studio album, Golden Days, was released in January.
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In more news from BMG Chrysalis, the company has announced a promotion and a major catalog purchase. BMG recently acquired the publishing catalog by songwriting legend Hal David from his sons. The catalogue features all of David’s publishing interests in iconic songs such as “Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head,” “I’ll Never Fall In Love Again,” “Walk On By,” “What The World Needs Now Is Love,” “I Say A Little Prayer,” and “Alfie.”
Based in Los Angeles, Zach Katz is promoted to Chief Creative Officer, BMG Chrysalis North America. He will continue to report directly to Laurent Hubert, President of Marketing & Creative, and oversee the LA and NY-based creative staff. Executives Kos Weaver (Nashville), Richard Blackstone and David Hirshland will continue to report to Hubert.

Pictured (L-R, Front): Chris DeTray (Be Music & Entertainment); Sara Johnson (BMG Chrysalis Senior Creative Director); Dave Barnes; Kos Weaver (BMG Chrysalis Executive Vice President); Chris Oglesby (BMG Chrysalis VP, Creative); Ryan Beushel (ASCAP); (Back): Kevin Lane (BMG Chrysalis Creative Director); Daniel Lee (BMG Chrysalis Senior Creative Director); John Allen (BMG Chrysalis Vice President)

Celebrating the signing of Dave Barnes, pictured (L-R, Front): Chris DeTray (Be Music & Entertainment); Sara Johnson (BMG Chrysalis Senior Creative Director); Dave Barnes; Kos Weaver (BMG Chrysalis Executive Vice President); Chris Oglesby (BMG Chrysalis VP, Creative); Ryan Beushel (ASCAP); (Back): Kevin Lane (BMG Chrysalis Creative Director); Daniel Lee (BMG Chrysalis Senior Creative Director); John Allen (BMG Chrysalis Vice President)

Universal Music Publishing Group Renews Deal With Dorff

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Andrew Dorff


Universal Music Publishing Group Nashville has renewed its exclusive publishing deal with songwriter Andrew Dorff. Dorff co-wrote Hunter Hayes‘ hit “Somebody’s Heartbreak” with UMPG songwriters Hayes and Luke Laird. Dorff also co-wrote Ronnie Dunn‘s Top 10 hit, “Bleed Red.”
“Andrew is a gifted songwriter and a rising star in the Nashville songwriting community,” said UMPG’s Executive VP/GM Kent Earls. “He is delivering songs that are taking him to the next level. We look forward to building on the success that we have already achieved over the past four years.”
“It doesn’t get any better than Universal Music Publishing and the creative staff I get to work with everyday… I’m beyond excited to continue what we have started…I’m a lucky dude,” said Dorff.
Additionally, Dorff has secured cuts by Blake Shelton, Justin Moore, Sara Evans, Tim McGraw and The Robertson Family. He has upcoming cuts with McGraw, Evans and Kenny Chesney.