Nashville Signings (3-25-13)

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Big Tractor Music has signed hit songwriter Rachel Proctor. As a recording artist with BNA Records, Proctor released a pair of Top 20 hits, including her debut single “Days Like This,” followed by “Me and Emily,” before deciding to focus entirely on her songwriting career. She has had songs recorded by artists including Jewel, Martina McBride, Lauren Alaina, Jessica Simpson, Kenny Loggins, Jana Kramer and Gary Allan, among others.
“I have known Rachel for many years and I am delighted to get a chance to represent her and her music,” Big Tractor Music general manager Clay Myers said.  “I truly feel that Rachel is one of Nashville’s top female writers.”
“We are excited to have Rachel join our family,” said Scott Hendricks, president/owner, Big Tractor Music. “She has consistently delivered great songs for many years and we believe artistically she will rise to new heights.”

Pictured (L-R): Scott Hendricks, Rachel Proctor and Clay Myers

Pictured (L-R): Scott Hendricks, Rachel Proctor and Clay Myers

  
• • •
corey smith1Entertainment management and production company, The Collective has signed Corey Smith for management. Smith, who has sold more than 1.3 million digital singles and 250,000 albums as an independent artist, will join The Collective clients Sara Evans, Linkin Park, Counting Crows, Enrique Iglesias, Slash, Kelly Rowland, Megan & Liz and Jimmy Cliff.

Creative Nation Signs Maggie Chapman

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Pictured (L-R): Creative Nation’s Co-Owner/Songwriter/Producer Luke Laird, BMI’s Jody Williams, Creative Nation’s Co-Owner/General Manager Beth Laird, Maggie Chapman, Creative Nation’s Creative Manager Julie Stuckey and Maggie's attorney, David Crow. Photo Credit: Courtesy of Creative Nation

Pictured (L-R): Creative Nation’s Co-Owner/Songwriter/Producer Luke Laird, BMI’s Jody Williams, Creative Nation’s Co-Owner/General Manager Beth Laird, Maggie Chapman, Creative Nation’s Creative Manager Julie Stuckey and Maggie’s attorney, David Crow. Photo Credit: Courtesy of Creative Nation.


Creative Nation celebrated the signing of songwriter/artist Maggie Chapman by hosting an intimate gathering Monday evening (March 18) at the company’s office in Nashville. Friends, family and members of the music industry community were on hand to join in the festivities.

“Even before Maggie has her driver’s license, she’s writing about mature subject matter that is original and at the same time refreshing,” shares Creative Nation’s Co-Owner/General Manager Beth Laird of the young writer. “She is holding her own with some of the biggest names in Nashville, although she continues to write prolific songs by herself. We are so happy that Maggie has joined the Creative Nation team!”
Creative Nation is home to hit songwriters Luke Laird and Barry Dean and newly signed duo Native Run. The company touts over 27 cuts including major label artists’ cuts, production deals on major label artists, film soundtrack and TV placements, and the ConAgra “Child Hunger Ends Here” campaign theme song performed by Jewel, Jay Sean, Owl City and Little Big Town.

AIMP Music Supervisor Panel Coming in April

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AIMP LogoThe Association of Independent Music Publishers (AIMP) Nashville Chapter and Fifth Third Bank will present “Music in Film and TV – What works, what doesn’t and the latest trends in placing music”; a panel that includes an elite cast of music supervisors from Los Angeles and New York.
Music supervisors participating are: Alicen Schneider of NBCUniversal TV, Kasey Truman with Chop Shop, Jason Markey of Relativity Music Group and Maria Alonte McCoy from District Music. Randy Wachtler, Founder of 615 Music and Past Chairman of the Production Music Association and current AIMP Nashville board member will be serving as moderator.
The meeting will be held on April 3 from 2-4 p.m. at Cabana restaurant located at 1910 Belcourt Ave., Nashville, TN  37212.
All members of the music community are encouraged to register for chapter membership. The member rate to attend is $25 while the non-member rate is $45.  Please log onto www.aimp.org to join and register.

No. 1 Party: Justin Moore's "'Til My Last Day"

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justin moore no111

Pictured (L-R): Tom Luteran (Sony/ATV/EMI), LeAnne Phelean (ASCAP), Michael Martin (ASCAP), Jeremy Stover (Producer/Writer), Brian Maher (Writer), Justin Moore, Perry Howard (BMI), Scott Borchetta (BMLG), Tim Hunze (Bigger Picture) and Mike Molinar (Big Machine Music). Photo Credit: Amy Fucci / BMLG

Justin Moore celebrated a No. 1 single and two Gold albums during a No. 1 party  yesterday (March 12) at Nashville’s Honkytonk Central.

The singer was honored for his third No. 1 single, “‘Til My Last Day” and his two gold albums–Justin Moore and Outlaws Like Me–which have together sold over 1 million copies to date.
Industry, family and friends gathered to celebrate songwriters Moore (BMI), Jeremy Stover (ASCAP), Brian Maher (ASCAP); publishers Big Machine Music, Sony/ATV/EMI and Bigger Picture and The Valory Music Co. promotion team. This song marks the second chart-topper for this songwriting trio – Moore’s debut single, “Small Town USA,” was the first.
The celebration was a perfect send off for Moore, who will begin his first headlining tour in Pikeville, Ky. tomorrow night (March 14).

Capitol Christian Music Group Acquires Tooth & Nail, BEC, Solid State Catalogs

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ccmg1Capitol Christian Music Group (CCMG) has completed its acquisition of the existing Tooth & Nail recorded music catalog. This includes Tooth & Nail Records, BEC Recordings and Solid State Recordings, though it excludes catalogs of artists Demon Hunter, August Burns Red and the latest recordings from Love and Death and the Supertones. Capitol CMG will own and continue to develop products from Tooth & Nail’s catalogs, marketing and distributing them through Capitol CMG Label Group and its catalog division. Jeremy Camp‘s Reckless will be marketed by Capitol CMG Label Group.
According to Capitol Christian Music Group President and CEO Bill Hearn, “It’s been my privilege to work alongside Brandon Ebel for the last twelve years. He’s a great record man and has developed some of our industry’s best artists and music. Together we have built a strong catalog which CCMG will continue to develop and grow. I wish Brandon continued success as he re-establishes himself as one of the leaders in the independent music community.”
Brandon Ebel, Founder and president of Tooth & Nail, is set to relaunch as an independent label. “Our partnership with EMI has been very successful, and we are grateful for the opportunities we have had with Bill Hearn and his team over the last 12 years. We are confident that our artists’ back catalogs will be well served under CCMG. Moving forward we are excited to continue developing our artists on Tooth & Nail Records, Solid State Records, and BEC Recordings,” said Ebel.
Ebel will retain rights to all label names and trademarks. Forthcoming releases planned for the relaunched label include August Burns Red, The Almost, Demon Hunter, Emery, Icon For Hire, Nine Lashes, Living Sacrifice and All Things New among others.
Details of release dates and distribution for the new label will be announced soon. During the transition period, Capitol Christian Music Distribution will continue to distribute all Tooth & Nail products.
 
 
 
 

Industry Ink (3-13-13)

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riaa52311Blake Shelton and Florida Georgia Line recently received certifications from the Recording Industry Association of America. Shelton’s “God Gave Me You” and FGL’s “Cruise” both received double-platinum certifications.

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Brian Davis

Brian Davis


Rising singer/songwriter Brian Davis has signed with entertainment and sports agency Creative Artists Agency (CAA) for representation.

Davis is currently on the road opening for Valory Music Co.’s Brantley Gilbert and MCA Nashville’s Kip Moore for Gilbert’s 2013 “Hell On Wheels Tour.”
Davis has recorded a total of six albums and released them on his own. His current album, Under The Influence, is available on iTunes.
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Cold River recording artist Katie Armiger has signed an exclusive worldwide administration deal with leading New York-based rights management firm, Downtown Music Publishing. Armiger’s music joins the catalog, which includes titles by John Lennon & Yoko Ono, Hans Zimmer, Ellie Goulding, Neon Trees, Jewel, Santigold, Social Distortion, and Seal.

“Katie’s wonderful new album further showcases her exciting and powerful voice as both singer and songwriter. Her writing is sophisticated and memorable and we at Downtown couldn’t be more excited to start working with this emerging music force,” commented Jedd Katrancha, SVP Creative Downtown Music Publishing.
Pictured: (front row) Jedd Katrancha (Downtown Music Publishing), Katie Armiger, Craig Hayes (Shackelford, Zumwalt & Hayes); (back row): Karen Krieschen (Cold River Records) and Erica Johnson (Cold River Records)

Pictured: (front row) Jedd Katrancha (Downtown Music Publishing), Katie Armiger, Craig Hayes (Shackelford, Zumwalt & Hayes); (back row): Karen Krieschen (Cold River Records) and Erica Johnson (Cold River Records)

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Combustion Music and Creative Nation, together with music publishing partner Warner/Chappell Music, have signed a co-publishing agreement with duo, Native Run. Made up of Virginia natives Rachel Beauregard and Bryan Dawley, Native Run draws on influences ranging from Earl Scruggs and Bruce Springsteen to Patsy Cline and Keith Urban.
Pictured: (Front Row) Jim Zumwalt, Julie Stuckey, Beth Laird, Bryan Dawley and Rachel Beauregard, Chris Farren, Luke Laird, & BJ Hill.(Back Row): Chris Van Belkom, Phil May, Kenley Flynn, & Ben Vaughn.

Pictured: (Front Row) Jim Zumwalt, Julie Stuckey, Beth Laird, Bryan Dawley and Rachel Beauregard, Chris Farren, Luke Laird, and BJ Hill. (Back Row): Chris Van Belkom, Phil May, Kenley Flynn, and Ben Vaughn.

 

Nashville Signings

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Singer/songwriter Danika Portz from Remsen, Iowa has signed with Grin Like A Dog Songs in partnership with Green Hills Music Group for music publishing and career development. “I am thrilled to be working with Danika – she’s a unique artist with passion, intelligence and vision,” said Steve Mitchell, President of Grin Like A Dog Songs.  “Plus she is such a joy to work with,” adds Woody Bomar, President of Green Hills Music Group. Said Portz, “I am so excited and blessed to have found such a wonderful team.”
Green Hills Music Group was founded in 2007 and has recordings by Hunter Hayes, Rascal Flatts, George Strait, Jake Owen, Bucky Covington and Luke Bryan.
Grin Like A Dog Songs publishes songs recorded by Joe Nichols, Kassie DePaiva of ABC’s One Life to Live, Canadian artist Sean Hogan and Christian artist Suzzette Michaels.

Pictured: Woody Bomar (Green Hills Music Group), Danika Portz, Steve and Leslie Mitchell (Grin Like A Dog Songs). Photo by Pam Boylan.

Pictured (L-R): Woody Bomar (Green Hills Music Group), Danika Portz, Steve and Leslie Mitchell (Grin Like A Dog Songs). Photo by Pam Boylan.

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Amber Hayes

Amber Hayes


A-OK/GMV Nashville artist Amber Hayes has entered into an exclusive booking agreement with Nashville-based talent agency and marketing firm, Conway Entertainment Group.
“I first met Amber when she was performing with the Conway Twitty Musical in 2008. I’ve always been impressed by her talent and am excited about working with her and the opportunities ahead,” said Conway Entertainment Group President, Tony Conway.

To book Hayes or learn more about Conway Entertainment Group, contact 615-724-1818 or visit http://www.conwayent.com.
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Greg Barnhill has inked a worldwide publishing deal with SB21 Music Publishing. Barnhill joins Steve Pasch, Kris Bergsnes, Brian White, Phil Roselle, Jayce Hein, Mike Sprinkle, and artist -writers Thomas Tillman and Jacob Martin on the SB21 roster.
Songs penned by Barnhill include “Walkaway Joe” (Trisha Yearwood and Don Henley), “House of Love” (Amy Grant and Vince Gill), “It Ain’t The Whiskey” (Gary Allan), and numerous others. He penned “It’s A New Day” for The Today Show, “A Lot Happens Early” for CBS’ The Early Morning Show, “Be There,” the theme for NASCAR, the Today Show theme “Your Day Is Today,” and other works for Tennessee Titans, Nashville Predators, Atlanta Braves, The View, Growing Pains, Baywatch, Crown Royal, among others.
Pictured (L-R): Todd Pachey, Greg Barnhill and Steve Pasch.

Pictured (L-R): Todd Pachey, Greg Barnhill and Steve Pasch.

 

 
 

BMG Names New Nashville Head

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Kos Weaver

Kos Weaver

Music publishing veteran Kos Weaver will join BMG as Executive Vice President to oversee the Nashville operations and continue to build and expand the company’s roster. Weaver will start the new role on March 15 and report directly to Laurent Hubert, President, Creative and Marketing at BMG Chrysalis North America.

Most recently, Weaver held the position of Vice President at Disney Music Publishing in Nashville and during his time there the office achieved eleven charting singles, with three No. 1’s, two Top 5’s and two Top 10’s. Prior to Disney, Weaver was Vice President of A&R at Warner/Chappell Music where he oversaw the creative staff.
Weaver joins BMG with nearly 30 years of experience in the music industry, beginning his career as a touring musician who later worked with and developed top songwriting and artist talent including Dave Berg, Jim Collins, Tim James, Wynn Varble, Brantley Gilbert (Valory Music Co.) and Canaan Smith (Mercury Records). Weaver also had publishing stops with Paul Overstreet and Reba McEntire’s Starstruck Writers Group.
Weaver commented, “I am very fortunate to join the BMG Chrysalis Nashville office in this position. Laurent Hubert and Hartwig Masuch are forward thinking music executives that I will certainly learn a great deal from. I look forward to working with the outstanding staff and writer roster that Darrell Franklin and Laurent have built.”
Laurent Hubert, President, Creative & Marketing, BMG Chrysalis North America added, “Kos has a distinguished track record of working with top music talent. I am confident his publishing expertise will further enhance our Nashville operations and will propel forward the careers of our extraordinary songwriters based there.”
Darrell Franklin has exited his role heading Nashville operations as Executive VP, but MusicRow’s Crystal Ball is flashing news of a possible joint venture between BMG and Franklin.

Paisley Honored for 21st No. 1, "Southern Comfort Zone"

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Pictured (l-r): ASCAP's Michael Martin; co-writers Kelley Lovelace, Brad Paisley & Sea Gayle Music's Chris DuBois; ASCAP's Mike Sistad

Pictured (L-R): ASCAP’s Michael Martin; co-writers Kelley Lovelace, Brad Paisley & Sea Gayle Music’s Chris DuBois; ASCAP’s Mike Sistad


In the middle of a busy CRS Week, ASCAP caught up with Brad Paisley at the Nashville Convention Center to congratulate him on his 21st No. 1 as an artist and 18th as a songwriter, “Southern Comfort Zone.” Longtime Paisley co-writers Chris DuBois and Kelley Lovelace, as well as publishers Sea Gayle Music and EMI Music Publishing, were also congratulated at the whirlwind celebration, which took place before Paisley hit the stage at the Grand Ole Opry at CRS on Feb. 27. “Southern Comfort Zone” reached the top of the charts in February and is the first single from Paisley’s upcoming eighth studio album, Wheelhouse, set to be released on April 9.

Signing News

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• • • Flying Island Entertainment has inked a deal with neo-traditionalist Ray Scott. His single “Those Jeans” has tallied almost 50,000 downloads, with over 30,000 of those since the song was added to SiriusXM’s The Highway in January. The video for the song spent 11 consecutive weeks on GAC’s Top 20 Countdown and has over 200,000 YouTube views.

Pictured l to r Standing: Flying Island's Nancy Eckert, Shelia Shipley Biddy, Bonita Allen, Jill Tomalty and Ed Gertler with Seated l to r: Flying Island's Louis Newman, Ray Scott, and Producer Dave Brainard

Pictured standing (L-R): Flying Island’s Nancy Eckert, Shelia Shipley Biddy, Bonita Allen, Jill Tomalty and Ed Gertler; Seated: Flying Island’s Louis Newman, Ray Scott, and Producer Dave Brainard


• • • Buffy Lawson has signed with Lexington, Ky. based, independent publisher KPI Music Group. The former Bomshel member has a new album and single, “I’m Leaving You For Me,” out via Wrinkled Records. KPI is headed by President Louis Police.
• • • Jill Spencer and Michael Gresham have renewed their respective exclusive co-publishing agreements with HoriPro Entertainment Group.