[Updated] Industry Signings (4-18-13)

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Pictured: (L-R) Keith Richards (Agent, Elite Talent Agency), Mark Claassen (President, Elite Talent Agency), Matthew Perryman Jones, and Lanny West (Manager)

Pictured: (L-R) Keith Richards (Agent, Elite Talent Agency), Mark Claassen (President, Elite Talent Agency), Matthew Perryman Jones, and Lanny West (Manager)


Matthew Perryman Jones has signed for booking representation with Elite Talent Agency.
“Matthew Perryman Jones is one of the most captivating artists out there right now,” says Keith Richards, Indie Agent at Elite Talent Agency. “It’s difficult not to be drawn to what he is doing. There is a story being tole with him and we are just excited to help get that story out to the masses.”
Lanny West, Matthew’s manager, explains, “It is all about team building and working with forward thinking partners. We were searching for an Agency Partner–not a Booking Agent. Elite Talent brings this very strong approach to tour strategy and partnership that we have been searching for.”

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Pictured (L-R): Jacob Fain (Director of A&R, Sony/ATV), Troy Tomlinson (President/CEO, Sony/ATV Nashville),Chase Rice, Bruce Kalmick (Triple 8 Management)

Pictured (L-R): Jacob Fain (Director of A&R, Sony/ATV), Troy Tomlinson (President/CEO, Sony/ATV Nashville), Chase Rice, Bruce Kalmick (Triple 8 Management)

Sony/ATV Music Publishing  signed their newest artist, Chase Rice.

“Chase is a double threat as both a songwriter and an artist,” said Jacob Fain, Director of A&R for Sony/ATV.  “It’s always a privilege when you get to work with someone who is accomplished in both regards and we couldn’t be more excited about it.”

 “It’s a huge step for me to sign with such a great publisher. Following the footsteps of Luke Bryan, Eric Church, Miranda Lambert and Kenny Chesney just gives me more motivation to make sure I’m up there with those names soon, and Sony/ATV is the place to do it,” said Rice.

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brett kissel11Major Bob Music has signed singer-songwriter Brett Kissel. Kissel will join a roster that includes writers The Band Perry, Garth Brooks, Karyn Rochelle, JP Williams, Shane Stevens and others.
 
 

Industry Signings (4-16-13)

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ole logo111ole has secured a worldwide publishing deal of future songs written by Nashville-based singer/songwriter, Jesse Lee. The deal also includes Lee’s existing catalog, comprised of over 40 compositions. Lee has collaborated with Kara DioGuardi, Hillary Lindsey and ole legacy writer Liz Rose, among others.
“I couldn’t have found a better home. I feel very fortunate to be able to work alongside Mike Sebastian and the ole team,” says Lee. “They believe in me as a songwriter and have had tremendous success as an independent company. I’m so excited to become a part of their team and look forward to having great success together.”
“Jesse is a very diverse and talented writer and I’m extremely pleased to be working with her,” remarks ole Senior Creative Director, Mike Sebastian. “She continues to grow by leaps and bounds as a writer and an artist and ole looks forward to being instrumental in furthering her career and our collective goals. We are thrilled that she has decided to become a part of the ole team.”

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PrintImagem Music USA has signed a worldwide, multi-year co-publishing agreement with Nashville songwriter Josh Doyle, the first signing of the joint venture between producer John Shannks and Imagem Music. Doyle won the title of “the nation’s top undiscovered singer-songwriter” during Guitar Center’s competition last year. Doyle, a UK native,  has released the independent EPs The End of Fear, Values and Virtues and Middletown and Songs From The Nuclear War Vol. 1 & 2.

“I’m excited to be joining the Imagem family,” said Doyle. “I’ve already started to feel the enthusiasm within the company for my songs and I’m looking forward to seeing what we can get done as a team.”

New Songplugging Group Plans First Showcase

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The Independents Photo

Music publishers Kim Wiggins, Brad Kennard, Kelly King, Jeff Skaggs and Melissa Spillman have formed a new songplugger group, The Independents. Numerous top songwriters are represented by the group including Neil Thrasher, Josh Kear, JT Harding, Jessi Alexander and Jeremy Spillman.
Members of The Independents have placed recent No. 1s “How Country Feels,” “Tornado,” “Better Dig Two” and “Blown Away,” as well as cuts by Luke Bryan, Keith Urban, The Band Perry, Rascal Flatts, Lady Antebellum and Brothers Osborne.
The plugging group will celebrate Independents’ Day Monday, April 15 at 6 p.m. at 3rd & Lindsley, where two songwriters from each publishing company will perform two new, uncut songs for industry attendees.

Elam Signs with ASCAP, Words and Music Administration

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Pictured (L-R): ASCAP's Mike Sistad, JT Harding, Katrina Elam, Chris DeStefano, Matt Jenkins and ASCAP's Robert Filhart

Pictured (L-R): ASCAP’s Mike Sistad, JT Harding, Katrina Elam, Chris DeStefano, Matt Jenkins and ASCAP’s Robert Filhart


This year’s Tin Pan South got even sweeter for artist-writer Katrina Elam. Elam took part in the ASCAP show recently at the Hard Rock Cafe as part of Tin Pan South. The show took place on April 3, where Elam performed alongside Chris DeStefano, JT Harding and Matt Jenkins.
The performance served as Elam’s announcement of her switch to ASCAP, as well as her recent signing to Words and Music Administration for worldwide representation of her catalog. Elam has had recent success with the ACM-nominated song “Easy,” recorded by Rascal Flatts and Natasha Bedingfield, and “Say Goodnight,” recorded by Eli Young band (co-written by Elam, Melissa Peirce and John Paul White).
Kim McCollum, owner of WAMA, said “we are thrilled to add the multi-talented Katrina Elam to our roster and we feel she will be a big part of our expansion into creative services.” Jessica Garey will be working with WAMA and Elam to provide creative content for music supervisors for film and television.

Industry Ink (4-2-13)

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Warner/Chappell Music has signed a worldwide co-publishing agreement with up-and-coming Canadian country singer/songwriter Aaron Goodvin. Goodvin’s first full length album, Brand New World, released in 2012, reached the iTunes Top 5 Canadian Country Charts and he has placed highly-anticipated upcoming cuts for Luke Bryan and Scotty McCreery.

warner chappell111

Front Row: BJ Hill (WC), Noah McPike (Almon Law), Goodvin, Blain Rhodes (WC); Back Row: Alicia Pruitt (WC), Ben Vaughn (WC), Phil May (WC), Matt Michels (WC)

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worley

Darryl Worley


The Bobby Roberts Company has signed Darryl Worley for exclusive Booking Representation. Worley has topped the charts with singles including “I Miss My Friend,” “Awful, Beautiful Life” and “Have You Forgotten.”

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larry's country diner logo111“Larry’s Country Diner,” the popular down-home television show that airs on RFD-TV (as well as FamilyNet), has signed a deal with its newest corporate sponsor, Springer Mountain Farms. Georgia-based and family-owned Springer Mountain Farms was the first poultry producer to gain the endorsement of the American Humane Association for the implementation of an antibiotic-free and vegetarian diet for its livestock.

“Springer Mountain Farms is pleased to sponsor Larry’s Country Diner. The show embodies our core values and celebrates an era of great family-friendly entertainment,” said Springer Mountain’s President, Gus Arrendale.
Springer Mountain Farms joins current sponsors farm equipment manufacturer and supplier Tarter Farm & Ranch Equipment, PFI — America’s Western Store “Boot Daddy” and vintage-style radio and jukebox manufacturer Crosley.
Upcoming performances on “Larry’s Country Diner” include John Anderson (April 4), Dailey & Vincent (April 11), The Quebe Sisters (April 18) and Riders in the Sky with Wilford Brimley (April 25).

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MerleFest LogoFinalists have been selected for the annual Chris Austin Songwriting Contest, hosted by MerleFest 2013. Now in its 21st year, the contest is an extraordinary opportunity for aspiring writers to have their original songs heard and judged by a panel of music industry professionals, under the direction of this year’s volunteer contest chairperson, Grammy®-winning singer/songwriter Jim Lauderdale. MerleFest 2013 takes place from April 25-28 on the campus of Wilkes Community College in Wilkesboro, N.C.
Writers of the following 12 songs, selected from over 700 entries, will compete on the Austin Stage in Alumni Hall at MerleFest on Friday, April 26, at 2 p.m.
Bluegrass
Aaron Burdett (Saluda, N.C.) – “Magpie”
John Cloyd Miller (Asheville, N.C.) – “Cloud of Dust”
Todd Grebe (Nashville, Tenn.) – “Master of My Destiny”
Gospel/Inspirational
Melody Walker (San Francisco, Calif.) – “Black Grace”
Lorraine Jordan (Garner, N.C.) – “Judgment Day”
Kelsi Robertson Harrigill (Murfreesboro, Tenn.) – “Just Any Moment”
Country
Daniel Davis (Bristol, Va.) – “Homesick”
Eliot Bronson (Atlanta, Ga.) – “Sad Town”
Michaela Anne Miller (Brooklyn, N.Y.) – “Lift Me Up”
General
Ryan Tanner (Nashville, Tenn.) – “Days to Think of You”
Justin Wade Tam (Nashville, Tenn.) – “Cold Chicago”
Ben Roberts (Nashville, Tenn.)- “Gold ”
Each of the 12 finalists will enjoy admission and lodging for three nights at MerleFest, and will receive a mentoring session with Jim Lauderdale. In addition, the first place winners will receive a performance slot on the Cabin Stage on Friday of the festival.Distinguished songwriters Matraca Berg, Lynda Dawson and Chris Smither will be among the judges that determine this year’s winners.
Net proceeds from the Chris Austin Songwriting Contest help support the Wilkes Community College Chris Austin Memorial Scholarship. Since its inception the scholarship has awarded over $36,000 to 75 deserving students.

Bertelsmann Completes Full Acquisition of BMG

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bmg logo22Music rights company BMG is under the sole ownership of Bertelsmann once again. BMG has completed the acquisition of the shares previously held by Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. (KKR) after receiving regulatory approval.
Bertelsmann founded BMG in 2008 with a resolutely digital and service-oriented business approach. In association with KKR, it grew to become the world’s fourth-largest music rights business.
Music publishing veteran Kos Weaver recently joined BMG as Executive Vice President, overseeing Nashville operations. He reports directly to Laurent Hubert, President, Creative and Marketing at BMG Chrysalis North America.
BMG administers more than one million song rights, including works by Busbee, Darrell Brown, Darrell Scott, Gordie Sampson, Hillary Lindsey, Jeff Stevens, Jim McCormick, Jimmy Ritchey, Rodney Crowell, Will Hoge and many more.
BMG is focusing on growing its recorded music division and recently entered an agreement to acquire Sanctuary Records from Universal Music.
Bertelsmann is an international media company whose core divisions encompass television (RTL Group), book publishing (Random House), magazine publishing (Gruner + Jahr), services (Arvato), and printing (Be Printers) in some 50 countries.

Warner/Chappell and THiS Music Sign Drew Baldridge

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(L–R):Back Row: Scott Safford (Attorney), Tim Nichols (THiS Music), Blain Rhodes (WC), Ben Vaughn (Warner/Chappell), Phil May (Warner/Chappell)Front Row: Penny Everhard (BMI), Connie Harrington (THiS Music), Janine Appelton (THiS Music), Drew Baldridge, Rusty Gaston (THiS Music)

(L–R):Back Row: Scott Safford (Attorney), Tim Nichols (THiS Music), Blain Rhodes (WC), Ben Vaughn (Warner/Chappell), Phil May (Warner/Chappell)
Front Row: Penny Everhard (BMI), Connie Harrington (THiS Music), Janine Appelton (THiS Music), Drew Baldridge, Rusty Gaston (THiS Music)


THiS Music, together with music publishing partner Warner/Chappell Music, have signed a co-publishing agreement with country singer/songwriter Drew Baldridge. Having been mentored by some of the greatest writers in the industry, Baldridge performs every weekend, packing out clubs in Southern Illinois. He’s recently opened for Montgomery Gentry, Lee Greenwood and Phil Vassar, among others.

ASCAP Elects Board of Directors

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ascap we create music1The results of the biennial elections for the board for ASCAP were announced today (March 27) by ASCAP President and Chairman of the Board Paul Williams. Twelve writer and twelve publisher members have been elected to serve two-year terms commencing April 1, 2013.

Newly elected writer member in the at-large field is composer Alf Clausen. In addition to Williams, the writer members who were re-elected in the at-large field are: songwriter Marilyn Bergman; composer Richard Bellis; composer Bruce Broughton; composer George Duke; composer Dan Foliart; songwriter Wayland Holyfield; songwriter Valerie Simpson; songwriter Jimmy Webb; and composer Doug Wood. Re-elected in the Symphonic and Concert field is composer Stephen Paulus.

The publisher directors re-elected in the at-large field are: Martin Bandier, Sony/ATV; Caroline Bienstock, Bienstock Publishing; Barry Coburn, Ten Ten Music; John L. Eastman, Edwin H. Morris & Co.; Zach Horowitz, Universal Music; Laurent Hubert, BMG Gold Songs; Dean Kay, Lichelle Music; Leeds Levy, Leeds Music; Matt Pincus, Songs Music Publishing; Irwin Z. Robinson, Cromwell Music; and Cameron Strang, Warner Bros. Music. Re-elected in the Symphonic and Concert field is publisher James Kendrick, Schott Music Corporation/European American Music Corporation.

Kobalt Signs Jessi Alexander

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Kobalt Music Publishing’s Nashville office has signed an exclusive, worldwide deal with Grammy-nominated hitmaker Jessi Alexander, it was announced today by Richard Sanders, President of Kobalt Music Group and Whitney Daane, SVP Creative of Kobalt Music Publishing America.
Through the new deal, Kobalt’s global creative team will represent Alexander for all new works and will provide worldwide synch licensing and copyright administration.
Alexander’s recent No. 1 hits include Lee Brice’s “I Drive Your Truck” and Blake Shelton’s “Drink On It.” Among her other notable co-writes are the country/pop crossover smash “The Climb” for Miley Cyrus from Hannah Montana: The Movie,  Shelton’s upcoming song “Mine Would Be You” and Celine Dion’s “Didn’t Know Love.”
“I’m super excited about getting to work with the Nashville creative team and look forward to partnering up with them for the next phase of my career,” said Alexander.
In making the announcement, Daane said, “Jeff Skaggs, Stephanie Cox and I are thrilled to be working with a writer of Jessi’s caliber and versatility. We have all been fans of her songwriting for years and look forward to working with our global creative team to expand on her already impressive track record of hits.”

Pictured at the recent signing celebration in Nashville is Jessi Alexander (Seated in Front). Pictured Back Row (L to R): Whitney Daane, Kobalt SVP of Creative; Jeff Skaggs, Kobalt Sr. Director of Creative; and Austen Adams, attorney for Alexander.

Pictured standing (L-R): Whitney Daane, Kobalt SVP of Creative; Jeff Skaggs, Kobalt Sr. Director of Creative; and Austen Adams, attorney. Seated: Jessi Alexander

Big Deal Music Signs Administration Agreement with BMG

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big deal musicBig Deal Music, the newly formed publishing company reuniting longtime Chrysalis Music colleagues Kenny MacPherson, Dave Ayers and Jamie Cerreta with Michael McDonald and Pete Robinson, have signed an expansive administration agreement with BMG.
Under the agreement, BMG will provide global state-of-the-art administration and pro-active exploitation services to the Big Deal catalog in North America, Germany, UK, Scandinavia, France, Benelux, Spain & Italy. The deal further provides a framework, when appropriate, for the two companies to sign talent jointly.
Big Deal will continue in its mission of finding and nurturing unique talent. Artists already signed to the Big Deal roster include My Morning Jacket, Jim James, The Black Angels, Ethan Johns, Missy Higgins, FIDLAR, The Walkmen, Korey Dane and songwriters Brad Tursi and Lee Anna McCollum.
“We’re all very happy to be in business with BMG,” MacPherson commented. “Several of us have a long history with Chrysalis Music so there’s a comfort level here knowing we’ll be working alongside many of our friends. We look forward to growing our business along with them.”
Hartwig Masuch, CEO of BMG Rights Management, said: “I am absolutely excited to be working closely with Kenny again, one of the most credible people in the music industry and somebody I’ve known since our days at Warner Chappell in the late ’80s.”
Laurent Hubert, president Creative & Marketing at BMG Chrysalis US, added, “Kenny, Dave and Jamie at Big Deal are proven A&R aces. We are thrilled to pair our creative visions and administer a company focused on maximizing opportunities for exceptional songwriters.”