Joe Fox Inks Publishing Deal With Liz Rose Music, Warner Chappell Music

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Pictured (L-R): Lydia Schultz (SESAC), Jason Turner (Keller, Turner, Andrews, & Ghanem), Ben Vaughn (WCM), Liz Rose, Joe Fox, Scott Ponce (Liz Rose Music), Dave Pacula (Liz Rose Music), Travis Carter (WCM)

SESAC songwriter Joe Fox has signed a worldwide publishing agreement with Liz Rose Music and Warner Chappell Music.

The New Jersey native relocated to Nashville after graduating from Berklee College of Music. Fox has won The John Lennon Songwriting Contest, played guitar on various records including Maren Morris’ Grammy-nominated album Hero, and toured with country stars like RECORDS/Arista Nashville’s Matt Stell.

Anthem Entertainment Names Noah Dewey As Sr. Director, Creative [Exclusive]

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Noah Dewey

Anthem Entertainment has named Noah Dewey as Senior Director of Creative. Noah will report directly to Tim Wipperman, President of Anthem Music Publishing Nashville, and work with Anthem’s key songwriters and catalogs in growing their creative activities in Nashville. Prior to Anthem, Noah was the Sr. Creative Director at BMG.

“Noah is the perfect addition to our creative staff. He’ll work alongside our creative head, Tim Hunze, and brings a tremendously valuable skill set to service our writers,” commented Wipperman. “His deep relationships with artists, producers, and record company people are exactly what we want, to become a great home for our writers.”

Industry veteran Noah Dewey grew up on Music Row in Nashville – after elementary school every day, he would head directly to the Tree Publishing Company (SONY/ATV) studio, where his mother worked. Noah got his first official start in the industry as an assistant engineer/ Studio Manager at Warner Brothers Records recording studio “The Loft”. He then worked for Barbara Orbison at Still Working Music before moving to Los Angeles to work with Disney Music Publishing. While at Disney, Noah was instrumental in promoting his writers by casting their songs for High School Musical and The Cheetah Girls. Longing to get back to Nashville and the songwriting community he loved, Noah returned and signed songwriter Matt Ramsey (Old Dominion) to a publishing deal at his new company, Sonic Ark. After three years of work, the relationship paid off with five #1 singles, including cuts from artists such as Dierks Bentley, Luke Bryan, Kenny Chesney, Steve Holy, Craig Morgan, Scotty McCreery and Old Dominion. Noah then joined Magic Mustang Publishing, a division of Broken Bow Records, as Senior Creative Director. While there he helped develop hit writers and cast songs for major artists on the label. When BMG bought Broken Bow Records/Magic Mustang Publishing, Noah was the only one retained from Magic Mustang. In his tenure at Magic Mustang/BMG he garnered over 40 cuts and two #1 singles for the company, while developing and directing the careers of his writers.

Kane Brown Breaks Top 10 On MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart

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Kane Brown is back in the Top 10 at No. 9 on the MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart this week, up from No. 28. The songs that propel him are his own “For My Daughter,” “Homesick,” “Like A Rodeo,” and “One Thing Right.”

The top five remains the same this week, with Ashley Gorley at No. 1, Zach Crowell at No. 2, Laura Veltz at No. 3, Ross Copperman at No. 4 and Josh Osborne at No. 5.

The MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart, published every week, uses algorithms based upon song activity garnered from airplay, digital downloaded track sales and streams. This unique and exclusive addition to the MusicRow portfolio is the first songwriter chart of its kind.

Click here to view the full MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart.

Blackbird Music Publishing Group, Dann Huff Ink A&R, Creative Development Deal

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Dann Huff, Darrell Franklin. Photo: Darcy Ferris

Blackbird Music Publishing Group has entered a partnership with producer Dann Huff. The partnership will re-establish a creative A&R and publishing relationship between Blackbird’s SVP Darrell Franklin and Huff, which goes back 20 years and included the publishing powerhouse Crosstown Songs, one of the first U.S. acquisitions by BMG in 2009. While at Crosstown Songs, Franklin and Huff worked with songwriters and producers including busbee, Neil Thrasher, Jonathan Singleton, John Paul White of The Civil Wars and Melissa Pierce.

“My association with Dann has been an incredibly successful partnership over the years. We built a thriving company, one song at a time, and intend to repeat that on an even grander scale at Blackbird Music Publishing Group,” says Franklin.

Huff began his career by moving to Los Angeles and becoming an elite session guitarist playing on albums for Michael Jackson, Celine Dion and Whitney Houston, as well as having his band, GIANT, signed to a recording and publishing deal by Blackbird Music Publishing’s President, Lance Freed while at Almo/Irving Music. Huff later returned home to Nashville, where he transitioned into production. Two decades later, Huff has long been recognized as one of Nashville’s top record producers, with multiple CMA & ACM awards, including Producer of the Year, Single of the Year, Album of the Year, & Musician of the Year. He has produced some of the biggest artists in music, working with Keith Urban, Carrie Underwood, Rascal Flatts, Taylor Swift, Brooks & Dunn, Brett Young, Midland, Faith Hill, Steven Tyler, Thomas Rhett, Kane Brown, and Reba McEntire, among others.

“Reuniting with Darrell gives me a greater opportunity to access songs from the songwriters in the songwriting community on a much broader scale,” commented Huff. “The association goes way beyond that as I look to develop new talent and independent artists through this new partnership with Blackbird Music Publishing Group.”

Blackbird Music Publishing Group, founded by The Raine Group, Keith Wortman and Blackbird Presents formed in July 2019 and previously announced the exclusive representation of the famed music catalog of Burt Bacharach, music’s “Greatest Living Composer,” as well as the hiring of Darrell Franklin, SVP of the Nashville office. With a presence in New York City, Los Angeles and Nashville, Blackbird Music Publishing looks forward to announcing additional significant signings in the coming weeks.

Mechanical Licensing Collective, Digital Licensee Coordinator Reach Agreement

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The Mechanical Licensing Collective (the MLC) and the Digital Licensee Coordinator, Inc. (the DLC) announced today (Nov. 14) an agreement that will allow the MLC to perform critical tasks as directed under the Music Modernization Act (MMA).

The agreement states that the MLC will receive $33.5 million for start-up costs and an initial annual assessment for 2021 of $28.5 million; that the MLC will provide public disclosures, including as to royalty collection and distribution, executive compensation, significant expenses, and projected annual budgets; and the creation of a new budgeting advisory committee comprised of equal numbers of representatives of the MLC and the DLC, which will enhance collaboration in evaluating operating costs.

MLC Board Chair Alisa Coleman and DLC Board Chair James Duffett-Smith offered the following statement upon announcement of the agreement:

“Today’s agreement between the MLC and the DLC represents a landmark achievement for every facet of the music industry. As a result of this accord, the central feature of the Music Modernization Act will be able to commence operations with the resources necessary to help ensure its success.

“Overall, this agreement is a great step forward for all of us within the music community and clearly builds off the tremendous progress we made with the passage the Music Modernization Act. With this phase behind us, we will now continue our work together to finalize the operations and other requirements under the law as we prepare to help songwriters get the royalties they are owed.”

NMPA President & CEO David Israelite said, “The deal struck with the biggest streaming companies in the world to fund the collective’s start up and future operational costs is an important step forward for our industry. The collective is an unprecedented agency serving both songwriters and steaming services so that the entire system works better. We are pleased the digital services met the budgetary requirements to ensure the success of the MLC’s mission. The Music Modernization Act contained ambitious requirements and this agreement will give all parties a good head start on achieving its goals.”

Highlights of the agreement include:

  • Funding Agreement Demonstrates a Commitment to Getting Implementation Right
    • The MLC will receive $33.5 million for start-up costs and an initial annual assessment for 2021 of $28.5 million.
    • All costs will be divided up among licensees, with the largest services paying a greater share.
    • Interim financing will be provided for the MLC before formal assessment collections begin in 2021.
  • Continued Commitment to Operational Transparency
    • The MLC will provide public disclosures, including as to royalty collection and distribution, executive compensation, significant expenses, and projected annual budgets.
  • Collaboration In Evaluating Operating Costs Builds Off Spirit of MMA
    • Creation of new budgeting advisory committee comprised of equal numbers of representatives of the MLC and the DLC that will enhance collaboration in evaluating operating costs.
    • The committee will provide input on future budgets and modifications to the annual assessment going forward.
    • Streamlined budget adjustments and assessment dispute process will limit the need to turn to the Copyright Royalty Board.

Established by the MMA, the MLC is a nonprofit entity designated by the United States Copyright Office to develop and administer a revolutionary mechanical licensing system that will launch on Jan. 1, 2021. The MLC will be responsible for collecting and distributing royalties payable to songwriters and copyright owners by digital music services, and for the creation of a first-of-its-kind, public database that will contain critical copyright information on all musical works.

The DLC is a nonprofit entity designated by the United States Copyright Office to represent the interests of digital music services under the MMA. The founding members of the DLC board are Amazon, Apple, Google, Pandora and Spotify.

For more information, visit themlc.com.

Warner Chappell Music Takes “Triple Crown” With ASCAP, BMI, SESAC Award Wins

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Ben Vaughn

For the first time, Warner Chappell Music (WCM) has taken home the triple crown at Country Music Week. The company was lauded as Publisher of the Year at the ASCAP, BMI, and SESAC awards. It marks the seventh consecutive year that WCM has landed the win at the ASCAP awards and the second consecutive year at the BMI awards. Overall, Warner Chappell songwriters earned a record-breaking 56 awards across the three major performing rights organizations award shows.

Several Warner Chappell songwriters also celebrated big wins this week; Warner Chappell writer Nicolle Galyon was named as a BMI Songwriter of the Year (in a tie with Ross Copperman); Dan + Shay’s “Tequila,” co-written by Warner Chappell songwriters Dan Smyers, Jordan Reynolds and Galyon, was named BMI Song of the Year; while Brothers Osborne were honored with the ASCAP Vanguard Award.

Ben Vaughn, CEO and President of Warner Chappell Nashville, said: “To quote one of the biggest songs of the year, we’re speechless! In all seriousness, we are so grateful for this recognition. It’s an unforgettable moment in WCM’s history. We are so proud of our amazing songwriters who are the most genuinely talented people on the planet, and who bring passion and heart to everything they do. I’m also grateful to Guy [Moot] and Carianne [Marshall] for their unwavering support of our efforts here in Music City, and of course to the dedicated WCM team who put in the work, day in and day out, to make sure songwriters are being heard.”

“This momentous achievement is a testament to our songwriters and the groundbreaking work Ben and his team are doing over in Nashville. There’s no doubt country music is thriving, and WCM is in command, shaping the future of the genre and redefining what success looks like,” said Guy Moot, Co-Chair and CEO, WCM, and Carianne Marshall, Co-Chair and COO, WCM. “As Warner Chappell Nashville continues to discover, sign, and nurture the best and brightest talent in the city, they’ve shown everyone what is possible when you combine hard work, creativity, and true dedication to the music and our songwriters. A huge congrats to all.”

Big Deal Music Group, SABCO Music Sign Jobe Fortner

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Pictured (L-R): Dale Bobo (Big Deal Music Group), Chris Kappy (Make Wake Artists), Kent Marcus (Marcus and Colvin), Jarrod Holley (Make Wake Artists), Jobe Fortner, Pete Robinson (Big Deal Music Group), Emily Boardman (Big Deal Music Group), and Randy Sabiston (SABCO Music).

Big Deal Music Group and SABCO Music have signed Jobe Fortner to a worldwide publishing deal. Fortner is managed by Chris Kappy and Jarrod Holley at Make Wake Artists and booked by Justin Cahill at CAA.

“We’re thrilled to add SABCO/Big Deal to the Jobe team. Both companies truly value the crucial process of developing an artist the right way and are experts at what they do,” said Make Wake Artists’ Chris Kappy.

“As soon as we introduced Jobe to Randy & Pete everyone in the room felt the synergy. We couldn’t be more excited to partner with Big Deal Music & SABCO,” said Make Wake Artists’ Jarrod Holley.

“Jobe has a brilliantly distinctive voice that sets him apart. Randy Sabiston (SABCO Music) and I both agree that Jobe is a superb songwriter and a genuinely great guy matched only by his artistry,” said Pete Robinson, GM of Big Deal Music Group.

Hailing from Dahlonega, Georgia, Fortner was the opening act for Luke Combs the majority of 2016 before he decided to make the move to Nashville. In 2018 he released his self-titled EP, which has amassed two million streams and resulted in 2019 tour dates with Cody Johnson, Whiskey Myers, and Muscadine Bloodline.

Ashley Gorley Spends 15th Week At No. 1 On MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart

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Ashley Gorley maintains his pinnacle positioning on the MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart for the 15th week. His co-writer credits are found on the songs “Catch” (Brett Young), “Good Vibes” (Chris Janson), “One Big Country Song” (LOCASH), “Remember You Young” (Thomas Rhett) and “Ridin’ Roads” (Dustin Lynch).

Zach Crowell stays at No. 2 this week, Laura Veltz moves up to No. 3, Ross Copperman moves down to No. 4 and Josh Osborne rounds out the top five at No. 5.

The MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart, published every week, uses algorithms based upon song activity garnered from airplay, digital downloaded track sales and streams. This unique and exclusive addition to the MusicRow portfolio is the first songwriter chart of its kind.

Click here to view the full MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart.

Ross Copperman Makes Top Three On MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart

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Ross Copperman moves up to No. 3 on the MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart, with four charting tunes including “Living” (Dierks Bentley), “Tip Of My Tongue” (Kenny Chesney), “Catch” (Brett Young) and “What She Wants Tonight” (Luke Bryan). Ashley Gorley remains at the pinnacle for his 14th consecutive week, and Zach Crowell remains at No. 2.

The MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart, published every week, uses algorithms based upon song activity garnered from airplay, digital downloaded track sales and streams. This unique and exclusive addition to the MusicRow portfolio is the first songwriter chart of its kind.

Click here to view the full MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart.

Dave Barnes Inks New Publishing Deal

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Pictured (L-R): Jessi Vaughn (WCM), Dave Barnes, Ben Vaughn (WCM)

Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter Dave Barnes, known for penning songs including “God Gave Me You,” which became a Grammy and CMA-nominated hit for Blake Shelton, has a signed a worldwide publishing agreement with Warner Chappell Music (WCM), the music publishing arm of Warner Music Group.

“Dave is one of the most talented, respected, and well-liked people in Nashville, not to mention one of the funniest,” said Ben Vaughn, President and CEO of WCM Nashville. “Anyone who is lucky enough to work with Dave has been a part of something magical. We’re stoked to have him be part of our ever-growing Warner Chappell family.”

“I’ve admired Warner Chappell for a long time,” added Barnes. “So many of my friends write there and I have so much respect for Ben and Jessi. I’m really proud to be a part of the team.”

Barnes also co-wrote the No. 1 hit “Craving You,” recorded by Thomas Rhett and featuring Maren Morris, as well as Bethany Dillon’s “All I Need,” a Top 5 hit on the Christian songs chart. He also has several tracks on Lady Antebellum’s upcoming album Ocean. Carrie Underwood and Reba McEntire are also among the artists who have recorded Barnes’ songs.

As a recording artist, Barnes has issued eight studio albums, three EPs and two Christmas projects. His recorded version of “God Gave Me You” hit the Top 15 on the Christian songs chart in 2010; the next year, Shelton released his own version of the track to country radio. Barnes will hit the road soon for his A Very Merry Christmas Tour, which launches Dec. 8 at Nashville’s Schermerhorn Symphony Center.