Curb | Word Music Publishing Hires Ciara Shortridge, Signs Kyle Jacobs And Chris Gelbuda

Pictured: Ciara Shortridge, Kyle Jacobs, Chris Gelbuda

Curb | Word Music Publishing has made a round of hiring and signing announcements. Ciara Shortridge has joined as Sr. Creative Director of Country Publishing. Songwriters Kyle Jacobs and Chris Gelbuda have also signed with the publisher.

Shortridge will report directly to Colt Murski; she most recently held the position of A&R Manager and served as the main creative point of Disney’s Nashville-based office. Shortridge’s career at Disney began in 2009 after graduating from Belmont University. She can be reached at cshortridge@curb.com.

Jacobs earned his first significant success as a writer in 2003 with Kimberly Locke’s “8th World Wonder.” In 2007, he penned Garth Brooks’ “More Than A Memory,” which debuted at No. 1; co-wrote Tim McGraw’s “Still” and Eli Young Band’s “Dust;” and produced four No. 1 singles for Lee Brice including “Hard To Love,” “I Drive Your Truck,” “Drinking Class” and “Rumor,” which is also his latest No. 1 as a songwriter.

Chicago native Gelbuda has had songs recorded by Billy Currington, Frankie Ballard, Darius Rucker, Dustin Lynch, and Meghan Trainor, and produced Trainor and John Legend’s four-time platinum hit, “Like I’m Gonna Lose You.” As a vocalist, writer and producer, Gelbuda also wrote, produced, and contributed vocals to the Platinum-selling “Bad Ideas” by German dance artist Alle Farben. Gelbuda is also a partner at The Attic studios in West Nashville.

Maria Strong Named Acting Register of Copyrights

Maria Strong has been appointed Acting Register of Copyrights and Director of the U.S. Copyright Office, effective Jan. 5, 2020. She succeeds Register of Copyrights Karyn A. Temple, who announced last week that she will be leaving the Copyright Office to accept a new position in the private sector.

“I am pleased to announce that Maria Strong has agreed to act as Register of Copyrights,” Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden said. “Maria has had a stellar career here in the Copyright Office, and we are confident that she will ably guide the Office and continue to advance its many ongoing initiatives like modernization while we undertake the search for a permanent appointee.”

Maria Strong

Strong has served as Associate Register of Copyrights and Director of Policy and International Affairs since April 23, 2019. In her position, she assisted the Register with critical policy functions of the U.S. Copyright Office, including domestic and international policy analyses, legislative support, and trade negotiations. She directed the Office of Policy and International Affairs, representing the Office at meetings of government officials concerned with the international aspects of copyright protection and enforcement.

Prior to that position, Strong served as deputy director of policy and international affairs since January 2015. Upon joining the Copyright Office in 2010, she served as senior counsel for policy and international affairs and also served as acting general counsel from April-July 2013. Before joining the Office, Strong spent nineteen years in private practice in Washington, DC, where she represented clients in the media, technology, and entertainment sectors. She began her legal career as a staff attorney at the Federal Communications Commission. Strong earned her JD from George Washington University Law School, her MA in communications management from the University of Southern California’s Annenberg School of Communications, and her BA in communication studies from UCLA.

“Maria Strong is an extremely talented lawyer and manager, and I have greatly enjoyed working with her over the years. She will serve the Copyright Office and the public well during this transition,” said Temple.

Caroline Baker Inks With Prescription Songs

(L-R): Christian Conant, Leah Hodgkiss, Rachel Wein, Caroline Baker, Katie Fagan, Cam Caldwell (Loeb & Loeb LLP)

Caroline Baker, who goes by the artist name Caro, has signed a publishing deal with Prescription Songs.

Caro just released her debut EP, songs from 3am, and graduated from Belmont in May of 2018. She penned some of the songs on her EP with fellow Prescription writer Megan Redmond, and produced the project herself. Caro was featured as the face of Fresh Finds on Spotify, and landed worldwide New Music Fridays over three different singles. 

“We are so excited about Caro,” said Katie Fagan, Head of A&R for Prescription Songs, Nashville. “She can do it all – she produces, she writes, and her artist project has taken on a life of its own. She’s a great example of the next generation of music coming out of Nashville and we’re honored to have her on our roster!”

“I’m so excited to have a team like RX and Katie Fagan behind me,” said Baker. “They’re just as hungry for all my crazy dreams as I am, which is exactly what I’m looking for in a publisher.”

Ben Burgess Joins Warner Chappell Music Nashville

Pictured: Travis Carter (WCM), Ben Burgess, Ben Vaughn (WCM)

Warner Chappell Music Nashville has signed a global publishing contract with “Whiskey Glasses” writer Ben Burgess.

“Whiskey Glasses,” recorded by Morgan Wallen, became a three-week No. 1 hit earlier this year.

Burgess has also penned songs for Dierks Bentley (“My Religion”), Jake Owen (“Grass is Always Greener”), Tyler Rich (“The Difference”), Pat Green (“Drinkin’ Days”), and HARDY (“Signed, Sober You”). He also penned Martin Garrix’s global smash hit, “There For You,” which charted in the U.S., UK, Australia, Canada, Germany, Italy, France, Spain, and more.

Burgess’ songs have been featured on Grey’s Anatomy and in commercials for Major League Baseball, Xbox, and Lexus.

‘Songland’ Writer IRO Signs With SMACKSongs

Pictured (L-R): SMACKSongs’ Shane McAnally; IRO; SMACKSongs’ Robin Palmer and Robert Carlton. Photo: Kaiser Cunningham

Songwriter and Songland winner IRO has signed an exclusive publishing agreement with SMACKSongs.

Discovered in a New York City subway station by one of Brazil’s most prominent DJs, IRO’s distinct talent as a songwriter has continuously led him to work with prestigious collaborators. He is best known for his collaboration with Macklemore, “Shadow,” which was featured on NBC’s Songland.

Through his participation on Songland, IRO found himself performing alongside Macklemore in front of 40,000 people at Lollapalooza Brazil in Sao Paulo. In 2019, he has performed in front of 400,000 fans while touring with Alok and Macklemore, accumulated over 4 million monthly streams and garnered 150 million lifetime streams.

“Meeting Shane completely threw me off guard. I had no idea my heart was headed to Nashville. The SMACK team is filled with talent and really feels like a family,” said IRO. “I’m beyond excited to see and hear all of the things that will come out of this melting pot!”

SMACKSongs Co-Owner and CEO, Shane McAnally, said, “IRO is truly like a walking song. He can’t help but turn every situation and moment into music, and we are so lucky to get to be a part of the soundtrack of his life. I love seeing the world through his eyes and collaborating with him, and I can never wait to see where he goes next. I feel blessed and honored to have him in the SMACK family.”

Bobby Rymer Acquires Writer’s Den Music Group

Bobby Rymer has acquired the entire Writer’s Den Music Group catalog.

Rymer, who was previously the general manager for Writer’s Den, has formed a new venture, Company 318, but will still be doing business as Writer’s Den.

Some of the artists who have recorded songs out of the catalog include Alan Jackson, Bonnie Raitt, Chris Stapleton, Rodney Crowell, LANCO, Alabama, Patrick Droney, and Ricky Skaggs, as well as Lindsay Ell’s current single “I Don’t Love You.” Former catalog writers include Adam Wright, Bonnie Bishop, Drew Kennedy, Jerry Salley, Melissa Fuller, Tami Hinesh, Thom Schuyler and Trent Jeffcoat. Active writers currently on the roster include Gordon Kennedy, Brennen Leigh, and Noel McKay.

Rymer can be contacted at bobby@writersdenmusicgroup.com.

BMI Presents the 5th Annual Maui Songwriters Festival

Pictured (Back Row, L-R): Bobby Pinson, Sirius XM The Highway’s Storme Warren, Luke Dick and Tim Nichols; (Front Row, L-R): Kevin Griffin, Willie Nelson, Lukas Nelson, Maren Morris, Miranda Lambert, Bob DiPiero, Mike Post and Lily Meola. Photo: Amorphia Photography

BMI recently held the fifth annual Maui Songwriters Festival in Maui, Hawaii on Dec. 5-7. Miranda Lambert and Maren Morris co-headlined this year’s lineup, which also included performances from fellow BMI songwriters Dustin Lynch, Randy Houser, Lukas Nelson and more.

The weekend launched at Fleetwood’s On Front St., with a show headlined by Better Than Ezra’s Kevin Griffin, BMI Icon Bob DiPiero and GRAMMY, ACM and CMA Award-winner Tim Nichols, with support from Kassi AshtonEmma Kline and Roman Alexander.

Maren Morris led one of the festival’s signature events, “How I Wrote That Song,” which also featured Luke Dick and Lukas Nelson.

BMI concluded the festival with a powerhouse lineup at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center anchored by Lambert and Morris. The event offered in-the-round acoustic performances from Lynch, Houser, Nelson, Maui native Lily Meola and more, as well as a surprise performance from the legendary Willie Nelson.

In addition to being presented by BMI, the Maui Songwriters Festival is supported by Goodfellow Family Foundation, HD Radio, SunTrust Bank, Texas Roadhouse, Twelve6 Entertainment and wine partner Daou Vineyards. Delta Air Lines is the official airline of the festival, with additional support provided by the Fairmont Kea Lani. Additional community sponsors include the Wailea Resort Association, Maui Jim and Tommy Bahama.

Next year’s festival will take place Dec. 3-5, 2020 in Maui.

Pictured: Willie Nelson performs at the Maui Songwriters Festival Presented by BMI. Photo: Amorphia Photography

Pictured (L-R): Better Than Ezra’s Kevin Griffin, Bob DiPiero and Tim Nichols perform at Fleetwood’s On Front St. during the Maui Songwriters Festival. Photo: Amorphia Photography

Pictured: Lukas Nelson performs at “How I Wrote That Song.” Photo: Amorphia Photography

Pictured: Dustin Lynch performs at the Maui Songwriters Festival Presented by BMI. Photo: Amorphia Photography

Pictured: Luke Dick performs alongside Maren Morris at “How I Wrote That Song” at The Maui Songwriters Festival Presented by BMI. Photo: Amorphia Photography

Pictured: Randy Houser performs at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center. Photo: Amorphia Photography

Pictured: Maren Morris performs at the Maui Songwriters Festival Presented by BMI. Photos: Amorphia Photography

Pictured: Miranda Lambert performs at the Maui Songwriters Festival Presented by BMI. Photo: Amorphia Photography

Pictured (L-R): Kassi Ashton and Kevin Griffin perform at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center. Photo: Amorphia Photography

Reservoir Signs “Juice” Songwriter Sam Sumser

Pictured (L-R): Greg Gallo, VP Creative, Reservoir; Sam Sumser; John Ozier, EVP Creative, Reservoir.

Reservoir has signed Grammy-nominated writer and producer Sam Sumser, including rights to Sumser’s catalog, which includes Lizzo’s “Juice” and “Lingerie” from her Grammy-nominated album Cuz I Love You. He also contributed to Anitta’s “Banana,” ft. Becky G, from Anitta’s album Kisses.

“The entire Reservoir Creative team including John Ozier, Greg Gallo, and Donna Caseine are extremely forward-thinking and hard-working. It’s great to have them and the rest of the company in my corner,” said Sumser. “Big things ahead!”

The Nashville-based Sumser co-wrote Lizzo’s catchy hit “Juice,” which has now been certified Platinum by the RIAA. He also contributed to Jason Derulo’s “Be The One,” Chris Brown’s “Overtime,” Shenseea’s “Blessed” ft. Tyga and more. His country collaborations include Mitchell Tenpenny’s “Alcohol You Later” and Chase Martin’s “Say Goodbye.” He has also written and produced with Usher, Austin Mahone, Dawin, and Plain White T’s, and is currently back in the studio with Lizzo, Usher, and Austin Mahone, plus Conrad Sewell, Daniel Skye, Eric Hudson, and R. City.

“Sam is such an impressive talent. Not only is he able to work effortlessly across genres with a tremendous amount of success, but his work ethic is unparalleled,” said John Ozier, Reservoir’s EVP of Creative. “Reservoir is the ideal home for someone as versatile as Sam, given the strength of our Creative offices in LA, New York, London, and Nashville. We’re proud to welcome him to the family and look forward to going to work for him.”

Reservoir’s publishing catalog includes pieces written and performed by greats like Billy Strayhorn, Hoagy Carmichael, and John Denver; the contemporary-classic catalogs of Sheryl Crow and Phantogram; and current hits performed by Lady Gaga, Camila Cabello, Bruno Mars, Cardi B and more. The company’s roster of active writers and producers includes the award-winning James Fauntleroy, Ali Tamposi, and Jamie Hartman, plus popular performing artists 2 Chainz, Young Thug, A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie, and Migos’ Offset and Takeoff.

Reservoir’s collection of film music includes rights to scores created by Hans Zimmer, as heard in the motion pictures The Lion King, the Pirates of the Caribbean series, Gladiator, The Dark Knight Trilogy, and over 150 other titles. The company also represents a multitude of recorded music through Chrysalis Records and Philly Groove Records and manages artists through its venture with Big Life Management.

Warner Chappell Music Nashville Signs William Beckmann

(L-R): Randy Rogers (Big Blind Management), Jess Rosen (Greenberg Traurig), Ryan Beuschel (WCM), William Beckmann, Radney Foster, Ben Vaughn (WCM)

Warner Chappell Music (WCM) has signed a worldwide publishing agreement with singer-songwriter William Beckmann.

Last year, Beckmann released the album Outskirts of Town, which included the Radney Foster-produced track “Leavin’ Town.” Beckmann grew up in Del Rio, Texas, and crafted a musical catalog that mixes the sounds of traditional country, Americana and Latin, with songs in both English and Spanish.

Next year, he will tour alongside artists including Parker McCollum, Radney Foster, and Randy Rogers Band. Beckmann is managed by Randy Rogers and Robin Schoepf at Big Blind Management and is booked by WME.

Abe Stoklasa Inks Deal With Spirit Music Nashville, 2 Mix Music

Pictured (L-R): Kara Jackson, Creative Director, Spirit Music Nashville; Derek Wells, Sr. Director of A&R/Production, Spirit Music Nashville and Owner, 2 Mix Music; Katie Flynn, Creative Director, Spirit Music Nashville; Michelle Davey, Director of Administration, Spirit Music Nashville; Clay Hatton, Administration Assistant, Spirit Music Nashville; Frank Rogers, CEO, Spirit Music Nashville; Brian Bradford, VP of Administration and Operations, Spirit Music Nashville; Abe Stoklasa; Freeman Wizer, Sr. Director of Creative, Spirit Music Nashville; Scott Safford, Attorney, Safford Motley PLC.

Abe Stoklasa has inked a global publishing agreement with Spirit Music Nashville and 2 Mix Music, Spirit’s joint venture with producer Derek Wells.

Stoklasa is a co-writer on the No. 1 hit “Fix” (Chris Lane), the Top 10 hit “Get To You” (Michael Ray), the Grammy-nominated track “The Driver” and “Leaving Nashville” (both recorded as part of Charles Kelley’s solo album). Stoklasa has also had songs recorded by Blake Shelton, Tim McGraw, Billy Currington, and penned the title track for Lady Antebellum’s recent album Ocean.

“I couldn’t be more excited to start my next chapter with Derek and Frank and the whole Spirit team,” said Abe Stoklasa. “They’re building a serious powerhouse over there and it’s exciting to get to be a part of it. I feel very encouraged by the fact that my publishers actually make music for a living. I hope to channel their wisdom into a really successful partnership for years to come.

“I’ve been a fan of Abe and his artistry for years,” said Wells. “We’ve shared a lot of time making music together in various scenarios and I’m always blown away by him. His talent and commitment to the craft are completely in line with what’s happening at Spirit Music Nashville and I’m so pleased that we’re now able to partner together on a publishing level. I also feel extraordinarily lucky to have him as the first writer on the 2 Mix Music roster so that now, I get to hear his songs before anyone else!”

“Spirit Music Nashville is thrilled to welcome Abe Stoklasa to the team,”said Frank Rogers, CEO, Spirit Music Nashville. “Abe has a unique way of taking ordinary life and turning it into extraordinary songs. We can’t wait to see what Abe, 2 Mix Music and Spirit can do together.”